Modest Mouse, "3rd Planet"
The opening of The Moon & Antarctica, "3rd Planet" sets the expectation that Modest Mouse had moved beyond the sound of The Lonesome Crowded West to a little bit more of a melodic place. While this is still unmistakably the same band, it's a cleaner, more mature sound. It suits them very well, and the album fulfills the promise of this first song.
Phil Ranelin, "Vibes From The Tribe"
Another cut from Soul of a Nation, this falls squarely into music I'm not qualified to talk about. But goddamn, just listen to that!
The Scorpions & Saif Abu Bakr, "Nile Waves"
Another funky jazz cut that I'm not qualified to talk about! This comes from the outstanding label Habibi Funk, in this case an obscure Sudanese record that they've rightly reissued.
The Wisdon of Harry, "Unit One"
Funky today! This record appeared in 2000 on Matador, and I picked it up more or less on a lark. I wasn't really sure what I was expecting, but I don't think it was this. While this is a perfectly acceptable kind of electronic/pop sort of thing, it never really sunk in with me.
Broken Social Scene, "Pacific Theme"
I feel like if I squint hard enough, I could connect these last few tracks together. But I'm not that good of a writer, and it's late and I have a headache. Look these guys up yourself! This blog is done!