Due to some really, really dumb luck I had the fortune of running into Fugazi legend Ian MacKaye over the holidays. The brief meeting inspired me to check out some recent releases from Dischord Records, the D.C. label he started in 1980. And I’m glad I did because Faraquet’s anthology (1997–98) is just what I needed to take a trip down memory lane. I remember trying to play this on my guitar during ninth grade Jazz class…

Hot Chip has been up to some interesting things recently. Not only did they just release an EP featuring Robert Wyatt and Geese, but they also hooked up with Peter Gabriel to do a Vampire Weekend cover. Personally, “Made in the Dark” wins for me because it’s just such an elegant song with sneaky guitar swoons that get me every time. Add some Wyatt funktronic vocal stylings and you’ve got yourself a new makeout tune.

Am I the only one who thinks it’s funny for the frontman of a two-piece band to release a solo album? Ok, maybe I am. The Black Keys lead singer will be releasing Keep It Hid on February 10th, so consider yourself warned. You might get tired of listening to the Black Keys sound over and over, but this is truly Auerbach at his finest. Hopefully he keeps the distortion, wah-wahs and organs coming.

And the most random pick of the week goes to… Digable Planets. “Where I’m From” reminds me of a time when hip hop meant listening to smooth flow and even smoother jazz samples - god don’t you miss songs like this and Ahmad’s “Back in the Day?” You can guarantee this makes my New Years Eve party mix.

After a couple of tough weeks at work, some Thanksgiving turkey and other reasons to procrastinate, I’m finally back with some picks. Unfortunately, that means that some of the songs I’ve selected might be old news.

For example, last week Little Joy hit Slim’s and I would have loved to check it out - hopefully by posting “No One’s Better Sake” I can get someone to tell me how it was.

Does Bon Iver ever quit? Me thinks not. “Blood Bank” is the impressive title track off the upcoming four-song EP Blood Bank, which is available for pre-order now.

And speaking of bands that don’t quit, Deerhunter continues to slide its way up my list of favorite bands when they recently put out “side two” to the album Microcastle, called Weird Era Cont. I guess it’s kind of like the whole Kid A/Amnesiac thing, proving that too much of a good thing is never bad.

Finally, since we just came out with our Top 15 Albums of 2008, I thought I’d post a couple of bands that didn’t make the list but deserve some love. One of those is Grouper - in fact they/she didn’t even make my own top 15, but that’s probably just because it was sunny outside when I made my list. I’ve also read a lot about Amadou & Mariam but have listened to very little, which is most likely a terrible mistake on my part since much of what I have heard makes me want to dance.

MP3s:

What’s cookin’ for this episode of Panther Picks? First, we start with a pinch of Department of Eagles - a band I heard about from the Stranger. I’ll go on record right now and say that I think Grizzly Bear is a bit overrated, but DOE is interesting enough to post (and besides, my song’s a lot better than “In Ear Park” Stranger). Ok, maybe I’m being too harsh, but I’m sick of hearing Grizzly Bear this, Grizzly Bear that…

But do not fret, someone you should definitely pay attention to in this spicy recipe is Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson. He might have the most annoying name ever, but this kid’s for real. Thank god the Brooklyn he’s from is in Oregon. If you’re not convinced by “Buriedfed” check out the live version of “Gangster Love” (we are honoring the request to post the link, not the song).

Deerhunter just came out with their new album, Microcastle - while not for everyone, “Never Stops” is a pretty good indication of the album as a whole. If you digg the track, I suggest picking up the album. And while we’re on the subject of new albums, Q Tip has been sneaking around under the radar recently considering Renaissance is about as much of a return to the good ole days as possible. I’m sure a lot of you have already heard “Gettin’ Up” so I’d thought I’d mix it up and throw in “Believe,” a track that features D’angelo, another guy who seems to be content hiding in the shadows. The ladies miss your abs my friend…

Finally, YES WE DID. A ton of tributes to President Elect Barack Obama have been coming from everywhere (even a Broncos wide reciever), so I’d thought I’d side with Thom Yorke’s remix of “Harrodown,” just because I find it intriguing that Yorke celebrates by remixing a song meant to describe the fear mongering of the Bush administration. Things certainly come full circle, don’t they?

Until next time…

MP3s:

Given our current economic situation, “Bailout Blues” seems like an obvious theme. However, I’m not sure the songs I picked have anything to do with it - although you have to admit that a song named “Crop Circle Jerk ‘94″ may, in some small way, sum up the situation. For those of you who don’t know, Megapuss is actually a band comprised of none other than Devendra Banhart and Greg Rogove (please keep your sexual orientation jokes in your pants).

I’d also like to direct your attention to Passion Pit’s “Sleepyhead,” if for no other reason than it feels good to get your groove back.

Finally, I threw some Kings of Leon your way because all the kids are talking about it, just like all the political kids are talking about this economic crisis.

Actually, just out of curiosity, who’s for the bailout and who’s against it? Leave your thoughts in the comments section. Personally I think I’m against it, but if I were a Congressman I’d probably pass it because I don’t see any other immediate solution besides kicking out Bush a few months early.

MP3s:

For this week’s episode of Panther Picks I decided to post Radiohead’s performance at Outside Lands. Why? Because I’m obsessed and it was a life-changing event. Duh. Special thanks to KC who sent me this great bootleg recording that sounds like it was taken directly from the soundboard - in other words, it’s power-outage free. However, due to file sizes I did have to upload a few songs to BOX.NET. Forgiveness please.

Radiohead Live at Outside Lands Festival (8/22/08):

1. Radiohead - “15 Step”
2. Radiohead - “Reckoner”
3. Radiohead - “Airbag”
4. Radiohead - “There There”
5. Radiohead - “All I Need”
6. Radiohead - “Nude”
7. Radiohead - “Talk Show Host”
8. Radiohead - “National Anthem”
9. Radiohead - “The Gloaming”
10. Radiohead - “Videotape”
11. Radiohead - “Weird Fishes/Arpeggi”
12. Radiohead - “Idioteque”
13. Radiohead - “Karma Police”
14. Radiohead - “Jigsaw Falling Into Place”
15. Radiohead - “Just”
16. Radiohead - “Exit Music (For a Film)”
17. Radiohead - “Bodysnatchers”

Encore:

18. Radiohead - “Pyramid Song”
19. Radiohead - “You and Whose Army?” & “Paranoid Android” {BOX.NET}
20. Radiohead - “Fake Plastic Trees”
21. Radiohead - “Everything In Its Right Place” {BOX.NET}