Sweaty!

I'm going to make a sweeping generalization here and say that any band with the word cardigan, sweater, turtleneck, or any similar article of cozy winter-ware in their name is implicitly pretty great. Within the parameters of this rule, and in a more sensible and likely way, outside of it as well, I will say that the Brilliant Sweaters are a fantastic band. Yet another talent hailing from Queens New York, these guys are super fun, super awesome, super great, super fly, and super cool. While all this superness might be intimidating for those of weak heart, fear not! The Brilliant Sweaters make approachable, non-pretentious, dance/mosh-able pop-punk that is extremely perfect for a night out dancing like a fool, sweating alot, and looking really terrible once your makeup runs all over your face. Am i right ladies, AM I RIGHT?!
Look out for their first full length album due out this summer and the frequent shows they play in the new york area. Seriously, get out to one of their shows. I may or may not have seen Brilliant Sweaters super-fan Jay Reatard at one. And by may or may not, I mean I definitely have not. BUT, go out anyways, they're awesome.
But first, download these songs so you can sing along: (Note: I fucked up these links, but it should be fixed now. Try downloading them again)
I Dropped out of High School, Sexy Genius, Black Toxic River, Sex Tape

Speed Scrabble (The Black Keys)

You know you love nasty facial hair. Here at GANGSTER LEGS, we love it too. And we also love the newest Black Keys album (well...2008 is kind of new and it was produced by Danger Mouse so you know it gots to be good). Here is a song from it. Just one. That's all ya get. 

Download "Psychotic Girl" (Nonesuch, 2008)

Bang! Bang! Bang! (Ladyhawke)

So this is about Ladyhawke (of New Zealand) but also about my new interest in cowboy jargon. I have been researching various cowboy diction and found this:

Cahoots - A collaboration, generally of a secret or questionable nature.

Excuse me Hoss, but "cahoots" is not special western jargon. Everybody uses that word. It is up for grabs by all stereotypes. Ignoramuses.

Download "Dusk Till Dawn" (Island, 2008)

I love your facial hair...oh yeah, and your music too, Bon Iver

Sometimes there's music that just makes you want to truck out into the middle of the woods to a cabin somewhere and spend all your days splitting wood and skulking. Some people make the perfect winter songs for that seasonal uneasiness and qualm that come with the blistering cold and snowy ground. Bon Iver makes this kind of music. Listening to songs from For Emma, Forever Ago (and the upcoming Blood Bank) I can't help but feel so tired, but in an amazingly comfortable and satisfied way. His is the perfect combination of beautiful, sad, and wonderful that is the ideal soundtrack for that rural, secluded Northeastern life you're planning. Pack your flannel ya'll. Also, his very impressive beard doesn't hurt either. Damn...

Check out these tracks from Bon Iver's new album Blood Bank out January 20th.
Blood Bank
Woods
Beach Baby

It's cold out

Spring is absolutely not almost here. Summer is even more not here. But here's a little experience of both of those elusive seasons for a lovely 4 minutes and six seconds.

Download Ben Kweller Sundress

Shit! God Damn! Get Off Your Ass and Jam! (A Slew/Stew of Supertstars)

What do you get when you put some peanut butter and jelly on some bread? PB&J. What do you get when 3rd Bass, Chubb Rock, Nas, Grand Puba, and Tone all spit fatcat rhymes on one track? Spoilers alert: it's not a sandwich. Here is the video.

Download "Back to the Grill"

Please embrace the martian (Kid Cudi)

I thought he sucked. But I am second-guessing myself. Whaaat? Scott Mescudi, of Cleveland, goes by Kid Cudi. Pretty new on the scene and, yes, it is a scene. Here is his first single and a Crookers remix which personally I prefer but you can make up your mind. Also I tacked on another fun ditty which is actually Crookers featuring Kid Cudi and yet another just because! Aww girl. Really, I just like the riff he is rapping over. 

Download "Day N Nite"

Download "Day N Nite (Crookers Remix)"

Download "Embrace the Martian"

Download "Down & Out"

The Beets!

I love root vegetables. I love music. Hence, I love The Beets. Another great band from Queens, The Beets are sleepy but caffeinated and sloppy in all the good ways possible. RAD!

Download Happy But On My Way and No Blood