A Mixed Bag of Hodge Podge Audio Goodness

Most of the time, i try to come up with some random, loose thread to connect the various tunes i talk about in a given post. Other times, i just happen to have a bunch of good shit that i feel like sharing. Guess what kind of day today is?

While i'm even more impressed by her business acumen and ability to actually make Twitter pay off, Amanda Fucking Palmer still is one hell of a songstress. The fact that she's happy to get nekkid apparently at the drop of a hat doesn't hurt my opinion of her, but i think i'm getting off-track here. Her new Band Camp single is a bit poppier than a lot of her stuff, but it's utterly danceable at the same time, so what more do you want? If you're so inclined, Ms. Palmer has a "pay what you want" drill going on at the page, so...

mp3: Map of Tasmania (ft. The Young Punx) (Amanda Palmer from her Band Camp)

LET's favorite Lord of the Loop, Pogo, has put together a rather pretty, though somber, tune that appears to have resulted from a recent break-up. Hate to see anyone hurting, but at least his art hasn't suffered.

mp3: Joob (Pogo from his website)

If i haven't made this abundantly clear, two things are going to pretty much seal the deal in terms of me posting your music here at LET. Send me either: 1. Nudes of your ex-girlfriend. 2. Rap songs about comic books. Guess which route K-murdock, Random aka Mega Ran and Storyville took?

mp3: Bedrock City (K-murdock ft. Random and Storyville from Bits & Rhymes Tour 2010 Exclusive)

You freaks seem to be digging the beat Xmas tunes in a big way, so have at it. Paul White reworks the classic, AND throws in some Grinch at the tail end just 'cuz.

mp3: We Three Kings (Paul White from Paul White's Christmas)

Since we're talking beats, just another little something from Ernest Gonzales. Why? Because we love him, that's why.

mp3: Self Awakening (Ernest Gonzales from Self Awakening EP)

And last, but most certainly not least, i've been meaning forever and a day to throw a major shout out to Highly Rec'd. Each month, Jon over there puts together a stellar mixtape that's sent directly to your inbox (not that this is done so that he can send you the hottest tracks today without all that legal hassling or anything.) LET highly recommends Higly Rec'd. Sign up here. 'Nuff said.

Free Music Friday...ON A THURSDAY!!! The Everything INCLUDING the Kitchen Sink Edition

Guess what, kids? i'm headed to NY tomorrow for a couple of Prince concerts, so this is probably it for me this week. If you happen to be at either the Meadowlands on Friday night or MSG on Saturday, i'll be the sexy motherfucker getting his groove on in the aisles.

i suppose today's post could have just as easily have been a "Beat Meet," "More Xmas Music" or even an "Otherwise Engaged" post, but you get all of 'em rolled up into one, big ball of aural goodness! You lucky, lucky, friggin' bastards.

If you're not going to be in NYC on Friday, but will be in DC, i highly recommend catching Liz Phair at the 9:30 Club or Gene Ween at the Black Cat on Friday night. i hate when there are a preponderance of excellent shows all happening at the same time, but what can you do? Me, i take drugs, but that's another story entirely.

Let's get into that tunage now, shall we?

Xmas tunes first...

White boy soul singer Mayer Hawthorne tackles the Charlie Brown classic with quite fine results.

mp3: Christmas Time is Here (Mayer Hawthorne from Mayery Christmas to All!)

The Pallers had this to say: "While working on our debut-album we decided to celebrate you all by recording this winter greeting.This is to say "We think about you, we will meet again, sometime after the snow is gone and the days are longer!" But for now we´d like to share with you this Christmas song, this warm caress with a promise, this Arctic Hymn." Sounds like a plan to me.

mp3: Artic Hymn (Pallers from Artic Hymn)

Yeah, yeah, sure, sure, but where's my Xmas beat, bitches? Keep your pants on, kid. We've got your back. Not sure if the second track is Xmas-specific, but it certainly is holiday oriented. And it has beat boxing, which makes everything, even anal probes, more enjoyable.

mp3: Xmas Rush (Dub) (Nathan Fake from XLR8R.com)

mp3: Dancing in the Snow (Ernest Gonzales from Been Meaning to Tell You)

And now, for something completely the same, if we're discussing your normal Free Music Friday.

Korallreven puts together a nice and smooth beat for Victoria Bergsman to get her jam on to with this lush number.

mp3: Honey Mine (ft Victoria Bergsman) (Korallreven from Honey Mine 7")

If you feel your beat music could use a little funk, Georgia Anne Muldrow is a name you need to commit to memory. To make you want to buy her latest, VWETO, she's been gracious enough to offer up this beast of a groove. Me likey oh so much.

mp3: fOnkRocker (Georgia Anne Muldrow from her VWETO)

As the LA Series comes to a close for the year, they've decided to break my heart. This new, stuttering jam from TokiMONSTA makes me hate myself even more for missing her open for Bonobo a while back. God damn, this is a booty shaker!

mp3: Park Walks (TokiMONSTA from LA Series 8)

MORE beat music? Hell, give 'em the knee shooters, i always say.

i'm only just getting into Mux Mool, but if Alex B sees fit to remix the guy, i'm hooked.

mp3: Hog Knuckles (Alex B Remix) (Mux Mool from Wax Rose Saturday EP)

KRS-ONE is going to get posted here every opportunity that comes my way. That being said, is it just me or is old boy's voice starting to hit a wall on this one? Don't get me wrong, he's still one of the best in the game, but i think someone might have suggested a lozenge and a cup of tea to Kris before he picked up the mic this time.

mp3: 5% (ft. KRS-ONE and Grand Puba) (DJ Premier from Get Used to Us)

And just because i'm telling you it's the right thing to do, we're going out with some Beans.

mp3: Deathsweater (Beans from End It All)