Toluu

Music For Robots

'Tis the season to be soldNovember 28

So I've got this rule: no Christmas music before Thanksgiving. It's not because I'm a scrooge who hates the stuff, it's the opposite - I love Christmas music when it's good, and if I listen to it before Thanksgiving, I hate it by Dec. 25th. One must pace oneself when it comes to cheer and joy.

Jason Collett - A Beguiled Christmas In Sales.

So today I broke out Peace On Earth, Vol. II, the new holiday compilation from our colleague Caleb Palma at Hard To Find A Friend. Not only is it good, it's for a good cause: proceeds go to Children Of Uganda Fund, which provides resources for kids in Uganda, many of whom lost their parents to HIV and AIDS. The compilation includes songs by Mr. Collett, Oxford Collapse, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, and many more. So really, there's no excuse to not buy it - and at $7.50, it's a bargain.

And on this Black Friday, what better way to usher in the holiday season than to listen to Jason Collett's song about the commercial aspects of Christmas? This track's got every

You run, you runNovember 20

Oh god, this song!

Now, Now Every Children - Not One, But Two.

This is easily one of my favorite songs of the year. It's from the Minneapolis band Now, Now Every Children, whose first record Cars just came out digitally (it will get its for-real release on Dec. 9). The band also released the Not One, But Two EP a few months back.

I like that the song is one of the best tracks the Yeah Yeah Yeahs never recorded. It's got that slow-burn feel to it, like it's running down a fuse that leads to an inevitable explosion. And when it does explode, it's all so perfect.

I try not to seem like an Afternoon Records fanboy, but that's getting harder and harder to do. Damn you, Anderson!

Buy Cars from iTunes. As iTunes customer StaceyRockSteady says, Now, Now Every Children is the "Best thing to come out of Minnesota since the Mighty Ducks." Can't say I disagree.

Love can falter overnightNovember 17

International Jetsetters - Never Slows Down.

There's something to be said for pacing when you're making art. Whether it's a movie, a book, a record, whatever - if there's no build, there's no point. I love the way this song starts with that simple guitar chugging, then that hi-hat, then it all kicks in with Fi McFall's passionate vocals. Awesome.

Interational Jetsetters also includes bassist Bert Audubert, drummer Loz Colbert, guitarist Paul Crozer, and singer/guitarist Mark Crozer (formerly of the Jesus and Mary Chain). They're based in Oxford, England, and this is from their new record Heart Is Black.

I think this song speaks for itself, so I'll leave it at that. You can buy Heart Is Black from the band's label, Planting Seeds Records.

Love Is On Your SideNovember 9

Robot Blair - A Mix for a November day

What else do I have to say but that I made another little mix for you guys - pretty straight-forward here, weird house and disco stuff, showcasing some new material from DFA, some French favorites, some local buddies, etc. All good stuff.

Granted, some mistakes were made - though I'm a Robot DJ I'm no robot-DJ - hopefully it doesn't detract too much from the good-time party-feel of the music, and you'll enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed playing it.

Tracklisting after the jump...

PS: We've got another People Don't Dance No More coming up this Friday at Trophy Bar with our wurst pal My Cousin Roy - should be fantastic!

Chromatics - Hands In The Dark - Italians Do It Better
Ame - Tonight (Dub Version) - Mule
Mock & Toof - Underwater (Alternate Dub Version) - DFA
Jacques Renault - Penguin Dance - RVNG
Black Mustang - Mad As Hell - Lo

I Still Don't KnowNovember 7

Eddy Current Suppression Ring - Which Way To Go

I’ve heard some stories about these guys, and how they strive to keep their cultural footprint small. They could easily be selling out massive halls in Australia right now, but choose to do smaller shows and keep things intimate. As a fan, I couldn’t be happier with that behavior. Too many bands scramble up that ladder too quickly and have no idea what to do when they reach their final rung. Eddy Current Suppression Ring have decided they like the view they’ve got right now and are going to continue to explore before heading up again. I am fine with this.

It’s not easy to write a perfect punk rock song. There are so few of them that truly transcend. I’m not about to claim that this is the next Waiting Room or anything, but this is a solid fucking song from a solid fucking album. The way they are so sure about their confusion puts them in a league most bands only dream of. It’s lyrically poignant, musically crushing, and just about perfect. And this is just one song off the record. It only gets better from here.

I want to see a double bill with these gentlemen and the Muslims. I think the fuzzy bass of both would segue nicely. And both have an informed innocence that manifests as su