With the Earl rumors swirling, it made me look back on some of songs that made his debut album so exciting and incendiary. That also made me look at some of Earl’s contributions to OF standouts like “Orange Juice,” which is featured on the first OF tape. A follow-up OF tape is due next month, but it most likely won’t have any Earl songs. A few weeks ago, Toronto jazz trio BADBADNOTGOOD dropped their latest OF collaboration. They have produced and released some excellent, excellent tapes and singles. All of those are available on the group’s bandcamp page. But their latest collaboration with OF head Tyler, The Creator is fucking radical. The trio delivers a live rendition of “Orange Juice” and Tyler adds his verse and goofiness. The only thing the song is lacking is Earl. So here’ s hoping Earl really is back. But in the meantime, I recommend this video that fully demonstrates the awesomeness of OF and BADBADNOTGOOD.
Tag Archive: Toronto
[video] BADBADNOTGOOD X Tyler, The Creator // Orange Juice
[mp3] Bishop Morocco // Old Boys
![bishop morocco old boys cover [mp3] Bishop Morocco // Old Boys](http://tympanogram.com/files/bishop-morocco-old-boys-cover.jpg "bishop morocco old boys cover")
The opening to Bishop Morocco’s “Old Boys” sounds like it’s been left outside to warp in the sun and then played back; then things kick in and it makes perfect sense, not at all misshaped. And the track is a brief, soft-spoken slice of indie pop. It’s got the slight, slow slap of drums and a buoyant guitar line supporting it. It’s space-y and floating and a great introduction to a band I was previously unaware of.
As it turns out, Bishop Morocco is a Toronto based duo, and the outfit just signed on with Arts & Crafts for an EP of the same name as the single. The pair has a previous, self-titled full-length available as well that was released in 2010. Old Boys (the EP) is a six-song affair that will be released on March 13th. No information is available about pre-ordering the EP at this point, so I’m not certain what format(s) it might be sold in. We’ll have to keep our eyes open.
Connect with Bishop Morocco // Facebook | Twitter | web
Bishop Morocco // Old Boys [mp3] from the forthcoming Old Boys EP
[mp3] Foxes in Fiction // The World Is As Soft As Lace (Felt Cover)
![foxes in fiction [mp3] Foxes in Fiction // The World Is As Soft As Lace (Felt Cover)](http://tympanogram.com/files/foxes-in-fiction.jpg "[mp3] Foxes in Fiction // The World Is As Soft As Lace (Felt Cover)")
Since the 2010 Foxes in Fiction full-length effort, Swung from The Branches, we have seen a number of small releases from the Toronto solo artist. The EP Alberto was the most notable, as it was a significant progression for Warren Hildebrand under his band’s moniker. Showcasing his ability to experiment with atmospheric, lofty synths and guitars overlaid with his reverb-laden vocals, Hildebrand created coherent, memorable songs.
Late in 2011, Hildebrand put his trademark dreamy spin on the Felt track “The World is as Soft as Lace.” All too often we hear covers that remove elements of an original that made it great to begin with, but on this track we hear the complete opposite. Hildebrand somehow accentuates the slow, romantic, whispery feel of the original, making his attempt arguably better. At this time it’s not clear whether this is a stand-alone track or if it will be included on an official release, but never the less it is a sign of great things to come for Foxes in Fiction in 2012.
[mp3] Foxes In Fiction // The World Is As Soft As Lace (Felt Cover)
You can download the Alberto EP as well as all other releases by Foxes in Fiction for free at the Bandcamp page linked below.
[video] Fucked Up // Queen of Hearts
Another video I missed, and one I’m surprised none of our resident Fucked Up fans in house picked up on, here is “Queen of Hearts.”
[mp3] The Weeknd // D.D.
![the weeknd echoes of silence cover [mp3] The Weeknd // D.D.](http://tympanogram.com/files/the-weeknd-echoes-of-silence-cover.jpg "the weeknd echoes of silence cover")
If you’re uncertain of the name Abel Tesfaye, you’re undoubtedly familiar at this point with his performance name: The Weeknd. Promising three mixtapes to the world in 2011, Tesfaye delivered the last installment of that promise last week, titled Echoes of Silence.
Echoes of Silence starts off with a cover of Michael Jackson’s “Dirty Diana,” which is shortened here to just its initials, “D.D.” Tesfaye’s version isn’t trying to be Jackson’s, and I don’t think he’s setting himself up as an artist to fill the void left by Jackson’s untimely passing nearly two years ago. But Tesfaye certainly has the chops to carry the tune, though the use of a vocoder eliminates some of the emotion that Jackson’s version boasts. It’s an interesting choice to kick off The Weeknd’s final mixtape of 2011; in Tesfaye’s tawdry canon of drugs and sex, however, it’s inclusion is easily understood.
I’ve been listening to House of Balloons a lot over the past week or so, and I’ve found myself enjoying it much more in the cold and constant night of the winter than I did upon its release. It’s a voyeuristic, filthy affair; as listeners we’re all complicit in the commission of the actions described on it. I’m not there yet with Echoes of Silence, but I’m much more likely to give it more than a cursory listen than I was in the days prior to its release.
Echoes of Silence is available for free through The Weeknd’s website.
Connect with The Weeknd // Facebook | Twitter | web
The Weeknd // D.D. [mp3] from Echoes of Silence
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002: Old Tapes - Farewell/What I Need Tonite 7" -
001: Joywave - Ridge/Traveling At The Speed Of Light 7"
