Thursday, September 23, 2010

TVD Takeover | The Mynabirds


Today's note is getting to you so much later than I was hoping it would. Had a full day of sitting in traffic on the way from Boston to New York. But I can't complain. We had a fun time of playing 90's playlist in the van with our iPods. It was a combination of things we were listening to on repeat alone in our bedrooms and everything that was on the radio and MTV. (I know it's an overstated complaint, but hey—remember the days when MTV played videos? I think the 90's were the decade when they slid past the 50% mark.)

Here's a hot selection of some picks we hit: Nirvana, Bjork, Weezer, Blur, NIN, Tool, Beck, the Breeders, Pearl Jam (Vs. is the first CD I ever bought when I was 13, along with a cassingle—how I miss the cassingle!—of Janet Jackson's "Again"), the Cranberries, Smashing Pumpkins, and My Bloody Valentine. We had some really good (and surprising) things handy in our iPods, things some people might want to be filed under "embarrassing picks." But what the hell. I don't believe in being embarrassed about music you like, or once liked, or once hated but have found a soft spot for because it reminds you of a certain time or person or something you can't quite put your finger on, but are glad to have in your back pocket of experiences.



Here are some bands we discussed, but missed out on either because our iPods were missing some serious links or because we got out of traffic before we could finish our 90's love fest: Operation Ivy, PJ Harvey (I could not get enough of Rid of Me and still regret not buying a "50 Foot Queenie" 7" from a small record shop in Frederick, Maryland, when I was 15), L7, Tori Amos, Portishead, Crash Test Dummies, the Pixies, the Verve and a whole heap of 90's R&B that I've been craving like mad recently. (Where's my Diamonds and Pearls-era Prince, PM Dawn, En Vogue, SWV, Boyz II Men—and on and on?)

All in all, we really just scratched the surface. If we had more time, we'd get deep into our psyches and memories and pull out some really great picks—I'll call them "bedroom picks" (as in, these are the bands that somehow knew my every single thought when I was in high school—or middle school, as was the case with the baby of the band). Who were your favorites in those formative years? God, I have so many memories directly tied to songs. All kindsa trouble I've gotten into (or narrowly escaped) that wouldn't be the same without being tied to a song in my memory. Put on Portishead or My Bloody Valentine, and I'm 15 all over again, having a really amazing time making mistakes that I only got to make once. It's hell to grow up and get less fearless as the years go by.


Speaking of the 90's and songs being tied to memories, I'm happy to have a night off in New York and a ticket to see Pavement in Central Park. My friend Amanda said she just saw them on Tuesday and relived her entire teen years—every boyfriend and crazy teen-hood memory—in the span of a single set. I'm so looking forward to having that happen for me tonight.

Til tomorrow!

x,
Laura.


TVD Takeover | The Mynabirds' Giveaway


We were talking about it a bit and seeing that we've already given away
The Mynabirds' wonderful debut LP What We Lose in the Fire We Gain in the Flood earlier in the year, why not mix it up a bit and offer you guys some other stuff? (And if you're hungry from some free vinyl, we suggest you scroll down a bit lower...)

So, for TVD's Mynabirds Giveaway we've got the lovely poster at the top of this post (signed by Ms. Burhenn) and the tee shirt shown below in the size that best fits your male or female frame.


These items will take flight and be sent to the person who comments in this post as to why she or he should win the aforementioned swag. Plead your case for these and the most convincing of the lot shall be named the winner.


Remember to leave us a contact email address, and we'll choose one winner for both items a week from today, 9/30.

TVD Fall Vinyl Giveaway | LCD Soundsystem / Hot Chip Promo Tour Package


Well, it's the first full day of Fall (despite it being 90 degrees out there today...) and it's our very first Fall Vinyl Giveaway—and we've got a great one to kick off the our Season O' Giving:

In support of LCD Soundsytem's upcoming tour with Hot Chip and Sleigh Bells we've put together a stellar prize package which includes the following items:

(1) LCD Soundsystem Tour Poster
(1) LCD Soundsystem - "I Can Change" 12"
(1) Hot Chip Tour shirt
(1) Hot Chip - "One Life Stand/Do Not Want" 7"


We'll make it easy to win this one seeing that it's our first of the season. Hit us up in the comments to this post letting us know why you deserve to win our first Fall Vinyl (and miscellaneous swag) contest. The most convincing up the bunch will find the aforementioned bag of swag crammed into his or her mailbox.

Remember to leave us a contact email address and we'll pull our winner a week from today, 9/30. Simple, right?

Purchase LCD Soundsystem's This is Happening at Amazon and iTunes.


TVD's Obscure Alternatives


It's week #2 our new Thursday fix culled from the rare and (ultra) obscure crates of 80’s vinyl:


Kelley Hunt & The Kinetics - Blue Light Special LP

Kelley Hunt & The Kinetics was a female fronted power pop rock band based out of Kansas City back in the early 80’s. They were popular in the regional club and radio scene, but didn’t manage to break out nationally. This foursome pulled their resources together both musically and financially to self produce one album on the private indie label Awake Records.

The album didn’t make any major waves upon its release and vanished into obscurity with many other power pop bands during the same time frame. They did however have some creativity under their belt with respect to the album and song titles. The album title “Blue Light Special” pokes fun at the venerable discount store chain Kmart and what is now the legendary discount practice that helped put Kmart stores on the map – the Blue Light Special.


The band even takes it a step further and incorporates quirky lyrics about the frenzy this discount practice used to cause during the 1980’s. Check out the songs “Discount Store” and “Don’t Put Up A Fight”, which provide blow by blow details of the chaos that would ensue during these specials. The overall album does hit some peaks with crafty arrangements and these lyrically amusing songs.

Kelley Hunt & The Kinetics - Can't Get Enough (Mp3)
Kelley Hunt & The Kinetics - Discount Store (Mp3)
Kelley Hunt & The Kinetics - Don't Put Up a Fight (Mp3)

For more obscure and unknown titles, check out Vinyl Obscurity.