Connections - Mall Lights

Here's a fuzzy/dream/pop/rock thing. I really like this sort of dirty pop, even if it is not nothing too new and unheard of.

The collection Year One spans Connections' past year in songmaking and it has its ups and downs in song quality. Mall Lights is of course one of the good ones but there is bit of filler here and there (such as the song Casuals), naturally skippable songs. Surely not everything has to be great but more often than not bands will add a bit of stale content to make ends meet; for me, I'd rather have a short, good album than an artificially long album.

All in all though it's still a good listen. Check out the full stream at stereogum, the link is in the Now Streaming tab at The Brainlesser homepage. Alternatively you can work your computer magic and head to the bandcamp itself, but the stereogum short piece on the band is enlightening so I recommend you take the long route.

Bohren & Der Club Of Gore - Ganz leise kommt die Nacht (video)

The band has been sharing this video via youtube but since not everyone is fond of that particular media I thought I'd share it along with some news.

So I've updated the blog layout. It might not seem much but it was a bit of work for me, since I had to tune into some coding (something that I know nothing about) but know you should see a "now streaming" feature up top where I'll be adding links to albums or other interesting shit that's streaming in the webs. I've also compiled a bit of a list for the songs of the day that I post... daily, which should make it easier to navigate around the blog.

That's pretty much it, but I'm pumped. Now I need to add some sort of "about" or "contacts" page, even though my G+ profile is here for anyone to see. Regular blog activity should return shortly!

SotD: Marissa Nadler - Old love haunts me in the morning

What better way to end this week than a little relaxation before the weekend plunge? Marissa Nadler's been on my mind since I was reading about her plans for a new album due early 2014, that was about earlier this week I think, but the timing now seems just right for a listen.

Here's a nice tune from The Saga of Mayflower May, her second album.

SotD: Fly Pan Am - Nice est en feu!

Closing song for Fly Pan Am's S/T as I revisit some of their work laying about on soundcloud. I've heard this band first maybe a few years ago and this is still a great album, aging like proper wine.

SotD: Special Explosion - Lifeguard

Getting back on track with the blogging activities, here's a couple things I plan to do:

a) properly design this blog, it looks like crap;

Granted I know nothing of webdesign so the task should be long and painful. My drawing skills are subpar to say the least, so I can't really rely on some unique design shenanigans here. We'll see. I aim at something simple, light and effective.

b) set up an online radio;

I know just about as much as broadcasting and radio things as I do about webdesign, so this will be fun. I'll probably try out some podcasting first and then maybe get a proper stream going on. First things first though, have to work out how licensing works. That should prove itself an amusing pain in the ass...

These are my short-term plans, sitting aside the will to create actual content beyond posting one song per day - which, granted, is a challenge in itself, but I'm sure I could fit in other things.

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Onward!

Today's song is by punkish indie band Special Explosion. This album brought me some ways to bands like Built to Spill, and though not standing out by any means the S/T album is pretty enjoyable as a whole. Here's the opening track, and welcome to 2014.