Videos

Sharon Van Etten – She Drives Me Crazy (Fine Young Cannibals Cover)

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Just go ahead and read that title again. Oh, Sharon, you've found so many ways to my heart. I never thought I'd be deeply touched by the Fine Young Cannibals, but Sharon's vocals and slowed-down twang give this late 80's jam a surprising new twist. The video comes from the AV Club's Undercover series where they compile a list of songs and then have current artists choose one to cover (each only being covered once). It's a great series, this.

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Videos

The Avett Brothers – The Once And Future Carpenter

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The Avetts played a show in Pittsburgh last weekend that I was in the city for, but failed to actually go to. Argh. My friends tell me it was amazing and long and on top of that, they played a somewhat new song called "The Once And Future Carpenter" (formerly known as "Scared To Die"). It's sweet and catchy like 98% of the Avetts' catalogue and it has both brothers playing acoustic and trading singing duties.

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Unearthed Music

Shabazz Palaces

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This is the sound of hip hop evolving. And not in a poor quality, gimmicky, step backwards kind of way (cough Odd Future cough). If you want to smartly alter the scope of a genre, Shabazz Palaces shows the way to do it.

Shabazz Palaces – Swerve…The Reeping Of All That Is Worthwhile (Noir Not Withstanding)

Shabazz Palaces – Blast It

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New Releases

J. Cole – How High

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Holy shit I'm amped for the new J. Cole to drop. It's easily my (and maybe the world's) most anticipated hip-hop release of the year. I know that this much hype is always a dangerous thing, but I have to say, from what I've been hearing J. Cole will not disappoint. "How High" popped up out of nowhere today and it's classic Cole.

J. Cole – How High

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Album Reviews

Duo Transatlantique: From Moment to Moment

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Ben Beirs and Maud Laforest traverse the ocean from Baltimore to Paris in order to perform as the Duo Transatlantique. Their new album, From Moment to Moment  recognizes this unusual geographical necessity by offering music from Paris and America with a couple of stops in Italy and Brazil.

The Duo Transatlantique are prolific performers and dedicated musicians who have refused to let their work be contained to a single continent. Their earnest desire to perform together coupled with their enviable technique and craftsmanship make the duo a uniquely musical and extraordinary force on the contemporary guitar scene.

Duo Transatlantique: From Moment to Moment

Duo Transatlantique: Comptine d'un autre ete

Duo Transatlantique: Jongo

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Waxing Philosophic

Beardyman Brings the Beat and a Case for Music Education

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Beardyman is the "King of Sound and Ruler of Beats" according to the BBC, and I am inclined to agree. His beat boxing skills put Doug E. Fresh in the corner and his improvisational skills coupled with his looping fluency make for one entertaining viral video.

This performance is from a recent appearance on the Conan O'Brian Show and it not only showcases Beardyman's obvious talent, but it had me thinking about my work as a high school music teacher, and the case for music education for cross curriculum benefits.

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Album Reviews

Chris Bathgate – Salt Year

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Warning: I'll probably be doing quite a bit of gushing in this write-up. Michigan's Chris Bathgate has released his new album, Salt Year, and it's blend of folk, horns, strings, alt-country, and heartbreaking balladry make it my favorite release so far in 2011. Listen up, kids.

Chris Bathgate – No Silver

Chris Bathgate – Eliza (Hue)

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Throwbacks

Johnny Cash To-Do List

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We love all things Johnny Cash here at Those Who Dig. I came across this handwritten to-do list somewhere on the web awhile back and it's too classic to not share. Cash's dry, witty sense of humor shines through here. I love finding such everyday things that illuminate an artist's personality so much.

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