B-SIDES: The Better Side?

B-SIDES! According to the Urban Dictionary, "a B-side was originally known as the song on the flipside of a 12" or 7" vinyl single that backed the A-side, but wasn't the song promoted or received the radio play". Sometimes B-sides are eventually added to full length productions, and sometimes they're a throwaway album cut. B-sides generally have a rep for absolute crap quality, and made it easier to persuade radio stations/DJs to play the correct side. This isn't the case for the tracks I selected for today's post, these B-sides are more than worthy.

ENJOY!

The Kills - "BLUE MOON"

The B-Side to The Kills' second single "Future Starts Slow" which was released last year. I'm such a sucker for anything that this duo touches. If you ever have the time to look up more b-sides & unreleased tracks from The Kills THEN DO IT. Gems on gems on gems.

The xx - "DO YOU MIND?"

The B-side to "Islands" from 2009. Another B-side I love from The xx is "Insects". Check it out if you haven't already! 

St. Vincent - "GROT"

I'm not the biggest St. Vincent fan, but when I watched her set at last year's Treasure Island Music Festival-I was impressed with how amazing she sounded live. For this year's Record Store Day St. Vincent released a red vinyl 7" with "KROKODIL" as the A-side & "GROT" (the track above) as the B-side. I dig it. 

Little Dragon - "STRANGER"

Little Dragon can do no wrong, except for not including this track on their 2009 full-length Machine Dreams. The A-side "Feather" was included on the full-length, and is one of my favorites by them. 

Two Door Cinema Club - "COSTUME PARTY"

The B-side for "I Can Talk". Call me crazy, but this track should have been on their  2010 debut album Tourist History. Luckily they perform "Costume Party" live, and I will be seeing them in Philadelphia this September. :D

The Civil Wars - "SOUR TIMES"

This is actually a Portishead cover, but this particular recording was used by The Civil Wars as the B-Side for their Billie Jean release on Record Store Day. 

Florence and the Machine - "SWIMMING"

Nearly 2 years after releasing her debut album Lungs, Florence and the Machine released Lungs: The B-Sides, 11 tracks including two special covers & a few other gems. This is the opening track on the album, and the lyrics are probably some of my favorite from Flo overall. 

freshvibesmonday #9

It's Mondaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay. One step closer to my graduation from college which is this Friday, wooo!  This past weekend was definitely one of the most hectic yet eventful weekends since I've been living in Santa Barbara. UCSB graduation with festivities left and right. Luckily I was able to find some goodGOODgood tunes for today's post if you're still recovering like me. Hope you dig them like I do. ENJOY!

Cat Power - "RUIN"
September 4th is the day that Sun, the first full-length album from Cat Power since 2008. This album was performed & produced by Cat Power (Chan Marshall) herself! Impressive, and I'm already in love with this song. Just from listening to "Ruin" I have a feeling this album will take another direction from The Greatest. 

David Byrne & St. Vincent - "WHO"
Two legends, one album. "Love This Giant" has been in the works since 2009, with the two artists exchanging tracks with each other until they settled with a list of 12. This isn't just an collaborative album, David Byrne & St. Vincent have announced a North American tour with 22 dates (3 of them are in Canada).  

The Mynabirds - "BODY OF WORK"
I believe that this track was one of the recent freebies on iTunes, and it's definitely a goodie.cThis track is off her 2012 album titled GENERALS, which i'm slowly becoming addicted to. :)

Madeon - "FINALE"

A newly released track from your favorite teenage deejay, with vocals from Nicholas Petricca. It's interesting to think that Madeon already has a song titled "Finale" when he's at the peak of his career, Irony?

Azealia Banks - "AQUABABE"
What to say about Azealia Banks besides the fact that I'm obsessed with her lyrics, and in case you're wondering she's back on Twitter ;). This track especially reminds me of a Missy Elliot/M.I.A. concoction, but spiked with a synthvibe that flows slightly on post-dubstep surface. Keep an eye out for this track on her upcoming mixtape "Fantasea" due out July 4th.

Unknown Mortal Orchestra - "I'LL COME BACK 4 U

Stumbled across this track this morning when I read about the Adult Swim Singles Program (thanks Pitchfork). This is the first of 12 tracks to be released. Unknown Mortal Orchestra frequented a lot on our store radio when I worked at Urban. Once upon a time I won tickets to see them before finding out that I had a midterm that same night, fail.

*FYF FEST LINEUP ANNOUNCED THIS MORNING & IT'S DEFINITELY WORTH CHECKING OUT. :)