Parov Stelar - Coco 4.26.11 - 3.5.11

Sometimes it's easy to dismiss an entire album after only listening a track or two. That usually happens to me. I have a short attention span, you see. Anyone who knows me can attest to the fact that I leave most books half read and most video games half played because they have not been able to satisfy my stringent psuedo-ADHD needs. This annoying habit, when applied to my selection of music, has led to dismiss me some hidden gems. Fear not, however, after months of iTunes on shuffle I finally realised how bloody amazing this album was.

This week, I bring you Parov Stelar of Linz, Austria, widely known as the creator of the genre of music known as "Electroswing", and his album Coco. This über-cool mix of modern house beats and early 20th century American swing-jazz will hopefully awaken your tired self and induce a bout of frenzied dancing. Perhaps you may even look as brilliant as this guy.

Notable tracks: The Mojo Radio Gang (Radio Version), Libella Swing, Catgroove

Sheldon

Dirty Projectors- Bitte Orca 4.19.11 - 4.25.11

Where to even begin. Definitely meant to get this in yesterday so everyone could have something nice to melt their minds to, but, here we are now, and here is something, well, a little different. Dirty Projectors have a style that, I think, is quite unlike anything else. The tracks on this album will fill your soundscape with aural colors unimaginable, they will take you, wide-eyed (eared) and filled with wonder, in so many new and different directions.. and yet somehow, at the end, all the things that had once diverged will come back together. Interesting rhythms from all angles, vocal feats that would impress even the King himself, and then, what! look! a wild melody appears! I think some of you might know this album already, but I really hope you all enjoy listening to Dirty Projectors' 8th release: Bitte Orca. It's fun!


Sarah

James Brown - Live at the Apollo 4.11.11 - 4.17.11

Yo soul children,

You down for something new? We're gonna kick it smooth and creamy old school with a completely new change of pace. Recorded in 1963 at the launchpad of many a soul and R&B career at the infamous Apollo Theater in NYC, "Live at the Apollo" is widely renowned as one of the best if not the best live albums of all time. Energy and excitement ooze out the speakers during this groin-grabbingly translucent performance by one of the best live performers in music history.

He's been called The Hardest Working Man in Show Business, The Chocolate Badger (I just made that one up) and Soul Brother Number One-- give it up for The Godfather of Soul, Mr. James Brown.


micah

Rockin' The Suburbs, 4.4.11 - 4.11.11.

After a surprising Grammy win, The Suburbs gained some of the popular attention it always deserved. Much the same way Paul identified The National's lyrics as highly applicable, Arcade Fire's epic, beautiful third chapter spins a yarn about suburbia that ditches the romanticized white-picket-fences and replaces fantasy with reality. The result is a really fantastic album; an American story from a Canadian band. I'll save the rest of my limitless love for the comments and let everyone render their judgments.