Passion Pit

I'm listening to the Cambridge, MA danceable indie getup called Passion Pit. Well produced, downtempo, and grooveable, Passion Pit's EP Chunk of Change is excellent. The release's second track "Better Things" has a sound that's unmistakably comfortable and danceable with a seriously vintage vibe. This is a track I really want to hear on a Monday night, at the bowling alley, after a couple of PBR's. Do yourself a favor, check these guys out.

Last.fm : http://www.last.fm/music/Passion+Pit
MySpace : http://www.myspace.com/passionpitjams

10 Good Ska Bands

I present to you today, 10 Good Ska Bands. Before we begin, I've got two caveats to get out there: a) I know that contemporary ska is more or less music for 13 year-olds who aren't tough enough to stick it out in a real pit; b) My taste in ska is leans very much (but not exclusively!) to the older waves, most especially the 2 Tone releases and Jamaican roots ska. Many on the list are "ska-revival" bands, some are "ska-core." I don't care to break it down to far. Them's just good tunes.

Now, on to the list, which is presented in alphabetical order, not order of awesomeness or importance:

• The Blues Busters


• The Bodysnatchers


• Desmond Dekker


• Less Than Jake (new-school, I admit, but classic to my life!)


• Reel Big Fish (same as above, but I love 'em.)


• The Skatalites


• The Slackers


• Special AKA


• The Specials


• The Toasters

CheckPageRankNow.com

I'm happy to announce the launch of my new website, which is a set of free online SEO tools. The service is provided free of charge by TAP Online Marketing, my online marketing consultancy.

Vampire Weekend

With no news updates on their site since October, 2008, I'd not expected to hear anything further from Vampire Weekend to follow up their first full length release. I'm pleased that Spin Magazine has announced information regarding the release of a second full-length album.

Riding Tips

The following riding tips are commonly attributed to a 1962 Honda motorcycle owners' manual. However, in 1929 a brief article in Time Magazine told of "courteous white-gloved Tokyo policemen" who passed out leaflets with these tips to English-speaking visitors.

At the rise of the hand by Policeman, stop rapidly. Do not pass him by or otherwise disrespect him.

When a passenger of the foot, hooves in sight, tootel the horn trumpet melodiously at first. If he still obstacles your passage, tootel him with vigor and express by word of mouth, warning Hi, Hi.

Beware of the wandering horse that he shall not take fright as you pass him. Do not explode the exhaust box at him. Go soothingly by.

Give big space to the festive dog that makes sport in roadway. Avoid entanglement of dog with wheel spokes.

Go soothingly on the grease mud, as there lurks the skid demon! Press the brake foot as you roll around the corners, and save the collapse and tie up.

Initially found this in the profile of a moped army member. Thought it should be passed on.
Link: Moped Army

Akes' Place liquor license suspended

From the Burlington Free Press:

Burlington's Local Control Commission -- the City Council -- on Monday suspended the liquor license of Akes' Place for seven days.

The suspension, which includes the bar's entertainment permit, will run from 8 a.m. April 30 to 2 a.m. May 7.

The City Council also suspended the bar's entertainment permit for an additional five days, from 8 a.m. on May 13 until 2 a.m. May 18. The suspensions grew out of two alleged incidents at the downtown bar at 134 Church St.

Apparently, this is the result of the bouncers getting a little too enthusiastic and sending someone home bloody, as well as serving a too-intoxicated patron.

At least its just a sports bar.

Music for Today:

- Broken Social Scene
    myspace
    Home Page
- Tapes 'n Tapes
    myspace
    Home Page
- Deerhunter
    myspace
    Pitchfork review of "Cryptograms"