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"Is that a fly in my beer?"

“Is that a fly in my beer?”

Music is, by its nature, derivative and often times it’s easy to ascribe influences to a particular artist. Alt-J was a band last year that seemed to skirt any kind of label, even though some didn’t think they were as groundbreaking as promised (I disagree, but whateva). SPEAK is a band from Austin, Texas that comes to deliver on the promise of innovation and a fresh sound – having told the major label scene to kick rocks and do things their own way. What happened next is a track that goes all the places you didn’t expect it to go, and works in all the ways you didn’t think it could.

If that sounds like some seriously pretentious hipster bullshit I’m not even going to argue with you there, I get it. But even on your 3rd or 4th listen to “Peaks” will leave you happily scratching your head, wondering where on earth this came from. This is a band to pay attention to.

Oh, and according to Pigeons & Planes (who broke the track), they’ve got a video game coming alongside the album this summer? Art rock, indeed.

Max Frost gets his motif on

Max Frost gets his motif on

As much as this artist goes against my wish to see the “white guys making soul music” trend go away, this track from new Austin-based artist Max Frost is an absolute gem of a single. Drawing strong comparisons to Gnarls Barkley (not entirely unwarranted), “White Lies” is a hand-clapping finger wag against a shady former lover. Though, you may get too caught up in dancing along to notice.

The last people you want your daughter to meet

CMJ 2011 has officially kicked off with over 1,200 artists set to take over New York City this week. Electric Panda Music featured artist My Pet Dragon is playing a showcase this Saturday at Mercury Lounge along with today’s artist – Fresh Millions. Where My Pet Dragon leans toward the spiritual, these guys make up for it in pure sleaze.

In some ways, Fresh Millions’ “Control Freak” reminds me of my favorite song of 2010, Staygold’s “Backseat”, in that it’s funked up to the max and covered in references to casual sex. Is there a better way to spend your Saturday night?

Control Freak (Feat. Shmu from Zorch) by Fresh Millions

Saturday, October 22nd – Mercury Lounge
My Pet Dragon 8pm
Fresh Millions 1am
(Check the full lineup and get tickets here)