Because at this point it is bordering on obsession with this song, why not give you the recording of the first live performance of the hit from all three artists together?
Tag Archive: Vampire Weekend
[Video/mp3] All Summer
The more I listen to and think about this song, I am amazed at how well crafted this promotional track is. I’m serious about this. The three principles put in superb work for their individual parts in ways that each is perfectly suited for. Converse seriously struck gold with this compilation. They’ve also given us a video, which is no less fun and has the three artists bouncing around in big paper-mâché heads. It fits the jovial atmosphere of the track and only adds to my enjoyment of it.
Kid Cudi, Best Coast and Rostam Batmanglij – All Summer (mp3)
Kid Cudi, Best Coast and Rostam Batmanglij – All Summer
Recently, the fact that there are all sorts of corporate sponsors utilizing a combination of collabs and fresh material from up and coming artists that have legitimate talent, is really making me pretty happy. Some pretty decent songs are being crafted out of this sponsorship. In today’s instance Converse has put together a collaboration between Kid Cudi, Rostam Batmanglij of both Vampire Weekend and Discovery fame, plus my favorite vocalist of the moment, Bethany Cosentino of Best Coast. The track treats us to some Cudi rhymes, sunny vocals from Cosentino and the bright production that I imagine is the work mainly of Batmanglij. The first listen grabbed me instantaneously, while the title of the track proves there is no point in pretending anything other than this being the perfect summer song. Do yourself a favor and grab the song free at the link above or below.
Kid Cudi, Best Coast and Rostam Batmanglij – All Summer (mp3)
Giving Up The Gun
Shortly after listening to Contra all the way through for the first time at the beginning of this year, I listed “Run” and “Giving Up The Gun” as my early favorites. I don’t know if I should be surprised or not, but the two remain my favorites from the album. I know many believe Contra to be inferior to the band’s eponymous debut, and the rest think the band shitty and overrated, but I disagree with both sects. The follow up was an impressive step forward and nearly as impressive, if not slightly superior to its predecessor. Those who think the band to be terrible and overrated are likely jealous they don’t possess the obvious talent these four do.
I recall late last year wondering how Vampire Weekend could follow up their debut positively. My skepticism surrounding a band who produced such a great debut is precisely why I dislike the negative publicity that surrounds the band – because it unavoidably shaded my appreciation of their music. Regardless, I believe “Giving Up The Gun” will ultimately remain my favorite off this album, and no amount of negative pub can convince me otherwise.
A Smattering of the Year’s Best New Music
I too am forgoing a 1000 Minutes post this week. I still have a little bit of catching up to do with Andy on my list, but nothing is screaming at me this week to be included. Rather than write up something I’m not feeling particularly impassioned about I decided to go in a different direction. We don’t much foray into album reviews on the site, but since I haven’t written much about many new albums thus far this year, I thought I would combine brief thoughts about a few 2010 albums into one post. These are just quick thoughts and not in-depth reviews of any sort. I’ve attached some tracks that were, or were very close to being, my favorites off each record.
Laura Veirs – July Flame (mp3) from July Flame
I was not a huge fan of this album. It’s very hit or miss with the songs I like and far too twangy for my tastes. But this song is great. I was surprisingly pleased with this and a few other tracks.
Local Natives – Shape Shifter (mp3) from Gorilla Manor
I don’t know how to write about this album without making it seem like it wasn’t good. I certainly enjoyed it a great deal, and it is within my top five for the year thus far. What I was expecting however was that this album would blow me away and instantly become a multiple-year-spanning favorite. Instead I just really like it and think it will find its way towards the top of my year end list. If that makes any sense.
Vampire Weekend – Run (mp3) from Contra
On the other hand, with Contra, I got pretty much exactly what I was expecting; A very good album that is a bit inferior to its predecessor. Expectedly solid but not earth shattering and very enjoyable. I have probably listened to this more than any album released this year besides Gorilla Manor.
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002: Old Tapes - Farewell/What I Need Tonite 7" -
001: Joywave - Ridge/Traveling At The Speed Of Light 7"
