The Humble Origins Of Lincoln Logs, Slinkies, Sea Monkeys, and More.

Sea Monkeys and x-ray specs were invented by the same person? The original Lincoln Logs had instructions on how to build Lincoln's AND Uncle Tom's cabins?

More from Mental Floss.

Werkstuk.

Q: What do you listen to while stuck at work?
A: Werkstuk-1964 (Alex Meijer)(mp3)

from Anthology Of Dutch Electronic Tape Music: Volume 1 (1955-1966)

Eleni Mandell, Live on The Current, 3-27-2009

They were delicious, though.

I just ate a can full of pecans, cashews, and (the horror!) pistachios. Then, mere minutes later, I watched the news. Awesome.


The sexiest pistachio.

Bob Dylan - Beyond Here Lies Nothin' (mp3)

The first track from Bob Dylan’s forthcoming release, Together Through Life, has been posted as a free download on BobDylan.com. Titled “Beyond Here Lies Nothin’”, the song will be available for free from midnight, March 30th through midnight, March 31st. Together Through Life will be released on Columbia Records on April 28th.

PJ Harvey & John Parish, Live on KCRW from SXSW (audio download + video stream)

Download the lossless FM recording in flac format here.

PJ Harvey & John Parish's new album, A Woman A Man Walked By, is out tomorrow.

Joan Jett & The Blackhearts - I Love Rock-N-Roll, $2.99

Amazon's mp3 Daily Deal is Joan Jett's 1982 classic, I Love Rock N' Roll, available today for $2.99.

Like A Virgin For Five Bucks.

Madonna's second studio album, originally released in 1984, is going for $5 as an mp3 album on Amazon.com, here: Like A Virgin

Electric Owls' Magic Show to be on 90210

From the Electric Owls MySpace:

March 26, 2009 - Thursday

90210
Current mood: animated
Category: Music
If you are like me then it has been a dream of yours for some time to hear Electric Owls on one of your favorite CW shows.

Well the long wait is over.

This Tuesday at 9/8 central the steamy new version of 90210 returns with all new episodes and will at some point be featuring Magic Show by The Owls Electric.

Tune in if you dare.

In other news, if you are of European descent and still reside in the Motherland, I'm coming your way very soon. So check the tour dates, and please come rock with me Eurostyle. Or in your case, just stylishly.

Thanks folks!

Andy

Also, the debut album, Ain't Too Bright, will be out May 5th. Here's the album cover:

Prince - "Dreamer" live on Leno, 3-26-2009

Insane.

Handsome Furs, Live in The Current studio, 3-26-2009

very handsome.

Bonnie 'Prince' Billie, NPR Guest DJ

From this Monday. It's here, and it must be listened to.

Ojos de Brujo: Nuevo disco Marzo 2009

According Ojosdebrujo.com, there is a new CD out this month. These are not from that album. These are from the rich Ojos de Brujo archive.



...and now pardon me as I get back to the Sweet 16...

Ojos de Brujo - Ley de Gravidad (mp3)
Ojos de Brujo - Ventilador Rumba 80 (mp3)

Both from Barí(2002)

A.C. Newman, Live on The Current, 3-24-2009

O+S Live on KCRW, 3-25-2009

GH (O+S) TS

Azure Ray's Orenda Fink & Remy Zero's Cedric Lemoyne are O+S, my obsession. Listening to their songs is like flipping through a dusty book of old ghost photos, black and white, with a faint glow in the shadows, barely discernable faces.

O+S - Lonely Ghosts (mp3)

From o+s

The Broken West, Live on The Current, 3-24-2009

Of My Hands

I meant to post this instead of the Ophelia yesterday. Track 19, track 20, so close together; the last couple of songs that you don't always make it around to, but sometimes they're so good that go straight to them and play them first.


The Goretti Group With Dennis De Souza Trio - Of My Hands (mp3)

Bloc Party @ 9:30 Club, 3-22-2009

I wasn't there, but this couple was. Check out their photos of the show.

90% Of Me Is You.

If you want to have your usual Monday, with your usual routine, same as last Monday and the Monday before that, ignore this. If, however, you could use a little mental island vacation, pop open an exotic brew, and listen to something wholly different, like laid-back steel pan percussion inlaid in a deep Caribbean groove, and the second song, sassy island funk. Ahhh, Monday.

Amral's Trinidad Cavaliers Steel Orchestra - 90% Of Me Is You (mp3)
Ophelia - Red Light Lady (mp3)

From Calypsoul 70: Caribbean Soul

The Hold Steady's Boys And Girls In America, $1.99.

The Boys And Girls In America mp3 album is $1.99 today on Amazon.

Bloc Party at the Electric Factory...

Believe me, you can still rely on the guys to light a crowd on fire. They came to Philly with a purpose, which was to give themselves away to the audience, and get the audience to give itself away to the band. I'm still on the post-show buzz, but I daresay that tonight's show was one of the best concerts that ever was. If you were there, please comment or email with agreements or disagreements.

Al Green's Let's Stay Together, $1.99, and M. Ward's Hold Time, $5.00, on Amazon.com.

Amazon is offering Al Green's classic Let's Stay Together (mp3) album for $1.99, (today only!) and M. Ward's acclaimed 2009 (mp3) album, Hold Time, for $5. Awesome deals.

The Decemberists, Live at SXSW

via NPR.

Rock Operaesque.

The Dirty Projectors, Live from SXSW

via NPR.

Listen here.

Thao with the Get Down Stay Down, Live in Concert

From SXSW on NPR.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=101427564&sc=sxsw-w

Every Day Is Like A Holiday

Gotta love those eMusic newsletters. Monday's featured this great compilation of Duke Reid Sessions from 1968-1973 :



The Sensations - Every Day Is Like A Holiday (mp3)
The Silvertones - Bluebird Flying Over (mp3)

Anna Faris plus Ida Maria

plus GQ =

MONO

I was swept up in this swell...The band is MONO but there are several channels going on here...

Mono - Follow The Map (mp3)

Bettye Lavette - Heart of Gold (Neil Young)

From the fabulous AntiLabelBlog.

Bettye Lavette - Heart of Gold (Neil Young)(Love@Joe's Pub March 2009)(mp3)

Cyndi Lauper - She Bop (Live on Solid Gold, 1984)

Hey, hey--they say I better get a chaperone
Because I can't stop messin' with the danger zone

Be the 4,000th Follower of Paste Mag on Twitter & Get a Free Subscription

They're at 3,909 at 12:30 EST.

Follow Paste.

3,958 at 7:48 EST...

Neko Case, Live on CBC Radio 3, 2009-03-04

I just realized that I've had this podcast for 2 weeks. I didn't even know it was there.

You can still stream or download the session, here (mp3).

Individual iPod-friendly mp3s here:

People Got A Lotta Nerve
Hold On, Hold On
Middle Cyclone
Vengeance Is Sleeping
That Teenage Feeling

Owen Pallet Loves Birushanah

...according to his Tweet this morning.

As Myspace commenter Starkweather said:

the new promo tracks are unreal!! the combination of traditional sounds with the all out metal assualt is awe inspiring. I can't get over how amazing this sounds. You've definitely advanced your sound and continue to evolve.

Listen to some demos at their Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/birushanah

Diana Ross & The Supremes Definitive Collection: $1.99

The Definitive Collection $1.99 MP3 album on Amazon.com, today only.

TGIP.

Thank God It's Pi Day.

Bell X1, Recorded Live in Concert on WXPN, today.

Listen to the concert, originally broadcast by World Cafe Live from Philadelphia earlier today on WXPN, here.

Order Pree.

If you're the D.C. area and won't be traveling to Austin next week, don't wallow in your recession blues. Washington, D.C.'s Pree are having a CD release show next Thursday at the Black Cat, with Meredith Bragg. Bring enough money for the CD, which is all wit, charm, candor, and depth, with lyrical and musical twists throughout, and beautifully unexpected.

You've never cast a shadow in your life
We fell asleep for longer than we like
We seem to pass the same moon every night
It's only bright enough to show a lack of light

Pree - Lack of Fight (mp3)

Here We Go Magic, Live on WOXY, yesterday.

Download here (mp3).

Track Listing:
Fangela
Tunnelvision
- interview -
Surprise (new/unreleased)
Only Pieces

**update** Here We Go Magic will be touring with Grizzly Bear... :)

Gonna Be Your Sugar Daddy

The Complete Motown Singles, Vol. 11B: 1971,is available now.

The Jackson 5 - Sugar Daddy (mp3)
G.C. Cameron - Act Like a Shotgun (mp3)
Richard "Popcorn" Wylie - Funky Rubber Band (mp3)

Dan Auerbach on MPR's The Current, earlier today.

Dischord: Touch & Go Suspending Operations, Reorganizing

From today's Dischord newsletter:

News that Touch & Go Records has suspended label operations has been a blow to us at Dischord. We first met Corey Rusk in 1981, when he was in the Necros, and have worked closely with Touch and Go ever since. We have always looked to Corey and the wonderful people who have worked for him over the years as prime examples of good people doing good things. We may have developed different business models over time but we always considered them kindred spirits, partners in this shared musical community that they helped to create and sustain. We salute Touch & Go for all the great music they have released over the years and wish the label the very best as they reorganize.

Q & Not U/Georgie James' John Davis forms new band, 'Title Tracks'

I was hurt when Q & Not U disbanded, and stung when Georgie James did the same. Maybe it's fitting that the debut single, Every Little Bit Hurts, is out next month. This time, please don't make me love you and then die. Title Tracks' music will be available on Dischord, naturally.

Viva Voce Sing About Devotion

Kevin Robinson recently posted some factoids on VivaVoce.com about the new album:

Factoids
Posted in Viva News on March 1st, 2009 by Kevin
We leave for tour in a few days. Very excited. It’ll be nice to head south on the I5 where it’s a bit warmer than home. Been getting a bunch of emails about the new record & thought I’d post a few facts about it here:

a) Anita and I built a studio in our backyard. We recorded Rose City in 3 weeks - from pen to paper to final master. This was deliberate.

b) All photos (and cover image) were taken at a show here in town by Megan Holmes ( a pdx photog and general mover and shaker). The guitar on the cover is Anita’s Les Paul Custom Lite, a rare little number.

c) Obviously tried to make a conscious effort to keep all elements of the record based out of Portland. It’s not really a concept record, but it’ll make sense when you hear it.

See you out on the open road. All the venues with pre-sale ticket links are up at our concert page & all of our confirmed SXSW performances are listed.
See you soon.

Viva Voce - Devotion (mp3)

Curumin, Live on KEXP 3-6-2009

Brazilian jazz funk. Accent on 'funk.'

This Sao Paolo multi-instrumentalist/producer blends Samba and other Brazilian flavors with a creative mix of reggae, funk, rock and hip-hop. He warms up the KEXP studios with this exclusive live set. Listen up and mellow out. Recorded on 1/24/09 - 4 songs: Mal Estar Card, Compacto, Misterio Stereo, Samba Japa

Curumin, Live on KEXP 3-6-2009 (mp3)

How To Live Without Music On YouTube

The Guardian offers 8 ways to cope, including:

1. Don't listen to any pop music at all,
5. Moan about it,
and my favorite, 7. Re-enact your favourite videos.

Annuals, Anni Rossi, and Benjy Ferree, Live on WOXY

All from WOXY.com Lounge Acts.

Annuals - 3-5-2009 (mp3)
Track Listing:
Always Do
Springtime
- interview -
Confessor
Wake

Anni Rossi - 3-2-2009 (mp3)
Track Listing:
Machine
Venice
- interview -
Living In Danger (Ace of Base cover, not included in podcast)
Wheelpusher

Benjy Ferree - 2-26-2009 (mp3)
Track Listing:
Big Business
Come To Me, Coming To Me
I Get No Love
- interview -
Fear
The Grips

Angus & Julia Stone, Live on KCRW, earlier today

I love her voice.

M83's Anthony Gonzales, live on KCRW, 3-6-2009

M. Ward on KCRW, 3-3-2009

10,000 Volts

I listened to The Priscillas' 10,000 Volts,which you must have, just before bed last night. It made me feel so good I felt all right about Monday. Here are the first and last songs.

All The Way To Holloway (mp3)
Dirty Old T-Shirt (mp3)

Anni Rossi and her Viola, Live on The Current

Smart's Palace, with a dedication to Bachelor dumpee Melissa Rycroft

Here are two songs from Numero's next rare soul offering, Smart's Palace, which documents and preserves the 1963-1975 Wichita, Kansas soul scene, with a generous 19 selections from the Solo, Kanwic, Vantage, and Lee-Mac labels. CD available April 21st, mp3s available now ($10) at Numerogroup.com.

Smart Brothers - I've Got A Funny Feeling (mp3) ....this one's for Melissa, who was quoted by Us Magazine's omg:

Even though Mesnick initially denied he was dating Malaney, Rycroft says she had a feeling.

"Being a girl, you get that feeling," she says. "Anybody that's been cheated on, you know. And being a woman, I got that feeling, because he just backed away from me, and I knew he had contacted her."

BASTARD.

Melissa is later quoted:

"I said, 'I hope you know why I got that mad.' We weren't talking at that point, so it was my way off saying, 'This is my closure ... Don't reply back.'"

Asked if she could ever be friends with Mesnick or Malaney, Rycroft says, "No."

Kenneth Carr - Don't Hate Let's Communicate (mp3)

Stone Cold Rhymin', Deluxe

Young M.C.'s classic rap album, which features, as Delicious Vinyl puts it, "thirteen songs and zero curse words," gets the Digital Deluxe treatment 20 years after its original release. The update comes with rare bonus tracks and remixes, and will be available on Delicious Vinyl March 17th, 2009.

Young MC - Bust A Move (Don Rimini Ravekid Remix)(mp3)

Recess.

Antony & The Johnsons, Live at 6th & I Synagogue, Washington, DC, Feb 3, 2009

Download Antony & The Johnsons' recent concert recorded at the Sixth and I Synagogue in Washington, D.C., from NPR, here (mp3), or stream here.

The Submarines, Live on The Current

What an incredible live performance. The Submarines do not disappoint.

Angus & Julia Stone's Mango Tree

This is what I've been waiting for - the cliche-free music video.



Mango Tree (mp3)

Also, check out the cover art:


A Book Like This is out today.

People Has It Hard.

Numero has a new offering out tomorrow - Local Customs: Downriver Revival, a selection of mostly soul, funk, and gospel rarities from the Solid Rock, Cass, Compose, and Revival labels, recorded in Felton William's Ecorse, Michigan basement. Brilliant. I know you probably have other new releases to pick up tomorrow, but add this one to the list...it's essential Numero.

Gospel Supremes - Sinner Man (mp3)
Coleman Family - People Has It Hard (mp3)

Unfinished Fiction From David Foster Wallace

Lane Dean, Jr., with his green rubber pinkie finger, sat at his Tingle table in his chalk’s row in the rotes group’s wiggle room and did two more returns, then another one, then flexed his buttocks and held to a count of ten and imagined a warm pretty beach with mellow surf, as instructed in orientation the previous month.

From Wiggle Room, by David Foster Wallace, an excerpt from his unfinished novel, on the New Yorker.com.

Also, see New Yorker to Publish Part of Unfinished Wallace Novel: Manuscript Was Discovered After Novelist's Death in September, in today's Washington Post (registration required).