Jeff Mangum: Live At Jittery Joe's

I came across this album today while surfing through a co-workers iTunes library and was baffled as to how this slipped through the cracks for me all these years. Recorded in 1997 and released 2001, this album was released to try and capitalize on eBay sales of bootlegged Neutral Milk Hotel concerts. The sound quality is higher than the typical bootleg but still has a rustic and authentic "live" feel that gives Mangum's voice and guitar the perfect saturation. Here's a cut off the album, one of NMH's classics "Two Headed Boy" complete with baby/child screaming in the background (and the first time the child chimes in it's so perfectly timed, it feels staged.)

Artist Spotlight: The Teeth

I went to see Dr. Dog play last night at the Echo and was treated to an opening set by labelmates The Teeth. This Philly quartet is comprised of old time rock 'n roll sensibility with some good natured goofiness. Their command of the stage came from not only tight-knit rocking out, but also from the lead guitarists' extraordinary handlebar mustache. It looked like one of those fake ones you'd see in an amateur video project, yet I'm almost positive it's real. They put out a new LP called You're My Lover Now about a month ago and it's a really great album. Check out their music video for the song "So Long," where you can see that glorious mustache in full form:

Chromatics - Night Drive

I picked this song up via 20 Jazz Funk Greats and I haven't stopped listening to it all day. This song makes me wish that I was driving around at night doing things that I'm not supposed to be doing (and acting like it's no big deal.) I also think this would be a great film intro song from something in the mid-80's. I think I like this one better than that Bats For Lashes song I came across last week, and I wish this would get the same type of artsy music video treatment. Check it out!:

Chromatics: Night Drive

Artist Spotlight: Meneguar

This Brooklyn four piece formed in 2004 and has put out a full length, an EP, and has another full length in the works for September. Their style of indie punk is pretty cool - it contains some edge but they aren't trying to be something that they aren't. They've played with Matt and Kim, Dan Deacon, and No Age to name a few and they're hitting the road this fall in both Europe and the U.S. to support the new record. Here's a cut of their 2005 full length I Was Born At Night called "The Temp":

On Repeat: Best Fwends

I stumbled upon Austin Duo Best Fwends through some MySpace Top 8 band surfing and couldn't stop listening to them. I'm not sure if it's the quick, catchy synth leads, or the half-retarded lyrical content - but it's probably someplace where the two meet that make this band so irresistible. Their latest release, Alphabetically Arranged runs 29 tracks long with the longest track under three minutes. They bring to mind an even more lo-fi sound than Gil Mantera with even tighter wound hooks. Check out this song called "Skate or Live":

Also, check out this Bacardi ad you may have already seen and heard that features Best Fwends: