Nice song and video from the new Portishead album…

Exploring elements of minimalism, ambient sound, improvisation styles of free jazz, and pop melodies the Swedish trio Tape combine electronic, acoustic instruments, and field recordings to form a unique sound scape .

(Tape: Andreas Berthling, Johan Berthling, and Tomas Hallonsten)

Their new album ‘Luminarium‘ is a scheduled to be released May 7th on Hapna. Until then you can listen to a couple of songs here.

In addition to their new album Hapna have also reissued Opera Plus & Milieu Plus.  Opera Plus is a reissue of Opera (Häpna H.9), with three new tracks taken from the original 2002 sessions.  Milieu Plus is a reissue of Milieu (Häpna H.14), with four new tracks.

Tape - “Augustan Chateau”
from Milieu Plus
Listen to “Augustan Chateau”

Tape - “Leafed Hands”
from Opera Plus
Listen to “Leafed Hands”

I didn’t know much about the Fuck Buttons prior to seeing them open up for Caribou and the little I did know was mostly centered around the sudden rush of acclaim (read: hype). Any concerns were quickly put aside with a quick glance on the stage however. Equipment check: laptop, 80s era Casio keyboards, suitcase w/ more electrical things and wires spilling out, effect pedals, and Fischer Price recorder w/ Mic laid scattered haphazardly across a single table.

Photo courtesy of http://www.fuckbuttons.co.uk

What sets Fuck Buttons apart from other electronic acts is that their sound revolves less around the noises typically one associates with the electronic circuitry of a keyboard and laptop; instead they prefer pulsating washes of electronic feedback and tribal rhythms that escalate to a blissful peak. I can’t help but wonder who held a greater influence: Slint/Mono/GSYBE or Kraftwerk/Fennesz/BOC? However you want to classify it they bridge a perfect gap between the past and the future that fits perfectly in the present.

[Video] Bright Tomorrow by Fuck Buttons:

They are currently on tour in North America with Caribou check the sites below for dates:

ATP Recordings:
http://www.atpfestival.com/atp-recordings/fuck-buttons/

Band Page:
http://www.fuckbuttons.co.uk/

Hot on the heels of the new full length album titled Port Authority being released Marco Polo & Mike Boogie have teamed up to offer the Newport Authority Mixtape. Not bad considering the mixtape consists of twenty six solid tracks and available for free download. Be sure to check out Port Authority which is out May 15, 2007 on Rawkus Records.

“This mixtape shows the past, present and future of what I’ve done as a producer up until now. It includes songs I cut from my upcoming album Port Authority as well as brand new joints specifically recorded for this tape. This mixtape was created to give you a taste of what’s to come next from me.”

>> Download Newport Authority Mixtape Here

Also, be sure to check out the new Marco Polo feat. Masta Ace video for “Nostalgia” from the from the upcoming album Port Authority.

Hailing from Melbourne, Australia Love of Diagrams are rightfully drawing comparisons to Sonic Youth, Mission of Burma, and even Unwound. Call it ‘Post-punk’ or ‘Art Rock’ Love of Diagrams make catchy, if not dissonant, songs that are centered around pounding bass lines, angular guitars, and repetitive vocals. Maybe not for everyone, but it’s a formula that never ceases to get old for me when done well. It also doesn’t hurt when your album was recorded by Bob Weston (Mission Of Burma, Shellac) either. Mosaic was released last month on Matador Records.

Love of Diagrams - “Pace Or The Patience”
from Mosaic
Listen to “Pace Or The Patience”

Love of Diagrams - “No Way Out”
from Love Of Diagrams EP
Listen to “No Way Out”