Unleash the Love

Friday, January 25, 2013

David's 2012 Favorites, Part 1: "Heaven" by the Walkmen

Porter put me to shame with his top 10 list and his nifty Spotify playlist. While I listened to a lot of music in 2012, his list made me realize just how little NEW music I discovered last year. So I'm skipping the full top-10 format, but I'll highlight -- in no particular order -- a few of my favorite songs from 2012.

First up is the title track from the latest Walkmen record. "Heaven" knocked me out more than any other Walkmen song since "The Rat" from 2004. Nice video, too:



posted by David

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Porter's Top Ten Tunes of Twenty Twelve, #1: "Pyramids" by Frank Ocean



The best song of the year, IMHO. This will take 10 minutes to listen to but it likely won't seem like it. The album overall is an absolute bar-raiser.

This link will open a Spotify playlist with all of my top 10 tracks and other 2012 music I loved, including tracks from Beach House, Grizzly Bear, Guided By Voices, the Walkmen, Beach Fossils, Andrew Bird, and Unknown Mortal Orchestra.

posted by Porter

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Porter's Top Ten Tunes of Twenty Twelve, #2: "Offspring Are Blank" by Dirty Projectors



When I first heard this track I literally laughed out loud. I thought it was unintentionally ridiculous. And then it grew on me, as did the whole album. Some of you will hate it. Lots of awesome, unexpected twists and turns throughout the record. For fans of: Eagles (not The Eagles); Snakes; Queen (not the Queen); Weirdness. Best YouTube comment: "AAAIIIIEEEEUUUUUUHHHa" (which may very well also be a lyric).

posted by Porter

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Porter's Top Ten Tunes of Twenty Twelve, #2.5 "Elephant" by Tame Impala



At number 2.5 (sorry, I forgot about one earlier and had to wedge this one in) is this track. Really solid album overall, too. For fans of: John Lennon's trippy voice; distortion; grooves. Best YouTube comment: "I'm sure, even if I hadn't had a smoke, I would have liked this."

posted by Porter

Friday, January 18, 2013

Porter's Top Ten Tunes of Twenty Twelve, #3: "The Descent" by Bob Mould



For fans of: Guitars; melody; alt rock pioneers who can still crush it and make it seem easy. The video is pretty cool too. Best YouTube comment: "I cannot stop listening to this song! Even after the millionth time listening to it my hands still shake!!"

posted by Porter

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Porter's Top Ten Tunes of Twenty Twelve, #4: "Would That Not Be Nice" by Divine Fits



I'm no fan of the album, but the single is undeniably catchy. For fans of: Spoon; other flatware; maracas.

posted by Porter

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Porter's Top Ten Tunes of Twenty Twelve, #5: "Deer Creek Canyon" by Sera Cahoone



For fans of: Emmylou Harris; acoustic guitars; hand claps; the outdoors.

posted by Porter

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Porter's Top Ten Tunes of Twenty Twelve, #6: "Locked Down" by Dr. John



Produced by Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys, who also plays a great solo on this one. My money is on Auerbach to win a Grammy for the album. Dr. John is 72! For fans of: The Black Keys, black cat bones, juju, mojo, voodoo, hoodoo, mofos, izzness. Best YouTube comment: "Very cool track, it's been a while since I've heard a new song on the radio that made me want to know who it was."

posted by Porter

Monday, January 14, 2013

Porter's Top Ten Tunes of Twenty Twelve, #7: "Wet Blanket" by Metz



Listening to this may give you a facial tic for a few days. (If so, that means you like it.) For fans of: Early Nirvana; angel dust; jackhammers; distortion; compression; obsession; depression. Best YouTube comment: "Why do I feel that the moment this video ends some terrible things will start happening?"

posted by Porter

Friday, January 11, 2013

Porter's Top Ten Tunes of Twenty Twelve, #8: "Lithe & Blithe" by Stephanie Rearick




This is actually from 2011 but I just think it's beautiful and that more people should know about it. For fans of Rufus Wainwright, Debussy, flowers, birds, pianos. Full disclosure: Steph is a friend of mine.

posted by Porter

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Porter's Top Ten Tunes of Twenty Twelve, #9: "I Bought My Eyes" by Ty Segall Band



For fans of: The Sonics, reverb, guitars, shredding. Best YouTube comment: "fuck hairmetal i always think of it when i hear certain tones, not that this is anything like that i just wish i never heard the other."

posted by Porter

Friday, January 4, 2013

Porter's Top Ten Tunes of Twenty Twelve Starts NOW!

At number 10, it's "Doused" by DIIV:



posted by Porter

Unleashing Unleash the Love



Welcome to the new blog for the Layaways! We'll post the latest band news and updates here, but for the most part, David and Porter will write about music and pop culture.

And if you're wondering about the name, it's inspired by the one and only Mike Love of the Beach Boys. In addition to his unique stage moves and banter, bizarre Rock and Roll Hall of Fame speeches, and an ability to annoy Beach Boys fans by "firing" Brian Wilson and the rest of the original band, Love excels at naming his unreleased solo albums. I've heard neither of them, but they're two of my all-time favorite album titles: "Mike Love, Not War" and "Unleash the Love."

posted by David

The official blog of the Layaways. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

Listen to the Layaways on Spotify or Pandora.

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David's 2012 Favorites, Part 2: "Good Time" by Don...
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Porter's Top Ten Tunes of Twenty Twelve, #1: "Pyra...
Porter's Top Ten Tunes of Twenty Twelve, #2: "Offs...
Porter's Top Ten Tunes of Twenty Twelve, #2.5 "Ele...
Porter's Top Ten Tunes of Twenty Twelve, #3: "The ...

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