Songbird
Dec
30
Tex La Homa
Filed Under Album Picks | 4 Comments
Tex La Homa
Good mellow music from UK based singer, composer Matt Shaw, his latest release, Into Timeless Shadows, a 6 song EP released in July is lovely in every way. Look for his new album Some Lost Bliss due out early 2007 in the US and Europe.
I would be lost in this world of chaos if it wasn’t for music…With giant ice shelves breaking and executions happening I need somewhere to escape this madness…
Orange Moon (mp3 expired)
All Those Things (mp3 expired)
Tex La Homa, Into Timeless Shadows [Get it]
Dec
28
Bright Eyes
Filed Under Album Picks | 4 Comments
Conor Oberst, Mike Mogis and Nate Walcott are the guys behind Bright Eyes and although 2006 was a rather quiet year for the band they did release a collection of singles entitled, Noise Floor (Saddle Creek) on October 24th. Noise Floor has done a good job of passing the time until the release of their full length album due out Spring 2007. But before the full length Saddle Creek will get fans excited for the full length with the release of Four Winds an EP containing 5 B-sides due out March 7, 2007. Look for the band to perform some February dates as well.
Four Winds Track Listing:
1. Four Winds
2. Reinvent the Wheel
3. Smoke Without Fire
4. Stray Dog Freedom
5. Cartoon Blues
6. Tourist Trap
As we look to 2007 we can listen to a couple tracks from Noise Floor and a favorite track of mine from the 2002 release Lifted or the Story is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground (Yeah longest album title ever)
I Will Be Grateful For This Day (mp3 expired)
Amy In The White Coat (mp3 expired)
Bright Eyes, Noise Floor [Get it]
Lover I Don’t have To Love (mp3 expired)
Bright Eyes, Lifted or the Story is in the Soil… [Get it]
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You may have noticed a lot of the files on this page are not working…Sorry for the inconvenience, first the bandwidth issue and now Filelodge is down for maintenance. Hopefully they won’t be down for too much longer…I think I have used every hosting service available since the EZ debacle but I decided Dreamhost is a must in the new year.
Also, check out the New Year’s Contrast Podcast, a perfect playlist to ring in 2007.
Plus go check out FiL’s “choonz released in 2006 that made me a happy FiL“ list it is awesome x5!
Dec
27
Pure Horsehair, Aubade
Filed Under Album Picks | 3 Comments
I am not in the best of moods…I just finished listening to some terrible, terrible music; listening to such things usually influences my over all well being.
But it is alright because then I heard the music of Pure Horsehair (not the most appealing band name in the world but you get over it) and I began to forget all the other malarkey. Pure Horsehair reminded me that some of the best music is found where you least expect it to be.
I have a confession…I tend to stray away from the Country/Folk isle, which is really something I try to be aware of in my quest for music, but I must admit sometimes I avoid this section like the plague.
Pure Horsehair though is a perfect example of why I need to suck it up and browse the feared Country/Folk section.
I do agree that you can most certainly hear the country folk influence in Garrett Devoe ‘s acoustic melodies, however I wouldn’t strictly classify his new album, Aubade as country.
Anywho, give it a listen and decide for yourself…If you like Damien Jurado, The Lancaster Orchestra, Jose Gonzalez or Sparrow Horse I suggest checking out Pure Horsehair.
Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday weekend and all of their wishes came true :) Mine was rather uneventful but quiet and peaceful, that is always good.
I know that Marcy got a kick ass turntable, but I would love to hear some of your favorite gifts or memorable moments from the holidays…
Notice how I talk about the holidays in the past tense? This is because if I hear one more Christmas/Holiday tune I think I might lose it.
Alright I am going to bed…Hopefully tomorrow I will wake-up and it will be Saturday morning, that would be sweet!
All Is Fine, All Is Well (mp3 expired)
The Sun is the Source (mp3 expired)
(highly recommended)
Pure Horsehair, Aubade [Get it]
Dec
22
Spoon Fed
Filed Under Music Mix Up | 8 Comments
I wanted to post “Leftovers Part 2” this evening but I guess we don’t always get what we want right?
People suck! And by people I refer to the clients that called me today…
“Hi, this is so and so, from blah blah and I was wondering when we were going to receive a proof. I submitted it on Monday and I am going to be gone ALL next week and I wanted to send it to print…”
She MUST know that every single one of the other clients I handle submitted on Monday as well right?
…I can’t tell you how hard it was for me to hold back, “FUCK OFF!!!” on the 5th or 6th call, I couldn’t even talk because it took everything I had to hold it in. Then this one client called and rubbed the fact that she was taking all next week off as well (even though I have worked with these people for the last 10 months and I know for a fact they have taken plenty of fucking time off! It must be nice right?) So I ask her when she will be departing tomorrow…9am.
FUCK YOU!!!! You will have a proof awaiting you in the morning!
And to top off this HOLIDAY BULLSHIT tra la la hell…I am seriously over playing chicken shit with the rest of the people in the office in answering the phone, I lose consistently and it is sad.
Yeah so I am going to bed…Here are a couple of tracks from Spoon, off one of my favorite albums, Gimme Fiction (2005, Merge).
Two Sides / Monsieur Valentine (mp3 expired)
I Summon You (mp3 expired)
Gimme Fiction [Get It]
It is raining here though that brings a smile to my face, other things that bring a smile to my face:
Coxon posted his “Favourite Songs of 2006” over at his blog To Die By Your Side
Marcy posted her “Favorite Songs of 2006” over at her blog Lost In Your Inbox
Charlie posted his “The Best 30 Singles of 2006” over at his blog Nerd Litter
And Marcy has a post about Jesus and sticks…Just kidding heart on a stick says send in your lists for the 2006 Music Bloggregate (you can find out more details if you follow the links) :P
Alright good night!
Dec
21
Manchester Orchestra Spring Tour
Filed Under Music Mix Up | 2 Comments
Photo By: Don Van Cleave
Oh this was good news, which helped me to forget the overall shit of a day I had.
The Manchester Orchestra posted the following on their Myspace:
SPRING TOUR WITH BRAND NEW
Mar 15: Buffalo, NY @ Town Ballroom
Mar 16: Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall
Mar 17: Royal Oak, MI @ Royal Oak Music Theatre
Mar 18: Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues
Mar 20: Chicago, IL @ House of Blues
Mar 21: Chicago, IL @ Vic Theatre
Mar 22: Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
Mar 23: Milwaukee, WI @ Rave at The Eagles Club
Mar 24: Kansas City, MO @Beaumont Club
Mar 25: Denver, CO @ Ogden Theatre (16 +)
Mar 27: Salt Lake City, UT @ In The Venue
Mar 29: Seattle, WA @ The Fenix
Mar 30: Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater
Mar 31: San Francisco, CA @ Warfield Theater
Apr 3: Hollywood, CA @ Avalon Hollywood
Apr 4: Hollywood, CA @ Avalon Hollywood
Apr 5: Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues
Apr 6: San Diego, CA @ SOMA
Apr 7: Tempe, AZ @ Marquee Theatre
Apr 9: Dallas, TX @ Ridglea Theatre
Apr 10: Austin, TX @Stubb’s BBQ
Apr 11: Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live
Apr 12: New Orleans, LA @ House of Blues
Apr 13: Orlando, FL @House of Blues
Apr 14: Ft Lauderdale, FL @ Revolution
Apr 16: St. Petersburg, FL @ Jannus Landing
Apr 17: Atlanta, GA @ Center Stage
Apr 19: Myrtle Beach, SC @ House of Blues
Apr 20: Norfolk, VA @ NorVa
Apr 21: Baltimore, MD @ Rams Head Live!
Apr 22: New York, NY @Irving Plaza (16 + )
Apr 24: Boston, MA @ Avalon
Apr 25: Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory
__________________________________
Notice how I high-lighted not one but two shows they will be playing in my neck of the woods. Rich, are you responsible for this or wait you are some sort of undercover genie aren’t you? :)
Since I removed the links to my 2006 Album picks , I thought I would give those who haven’t heard these guys an opportunity to see what I am all excited about…
Don’t Let Them See You Cry (mp3 expired)
I’m Like A Virgin Loosing a Child [Get It]
You can listen to more of their songs here
Check out Coxon’s “Favourite albums of 2006” over at his blog To Die By Your Side
Pajo is good shits…It is a damn fine list.
Dec
16
2006 EP Picks
Filed Under The Lists | 13 Comments
Below are my ordered 2006 EP picks, enjoy and let me know what you think.
1. Elephant Gun [mp3 expired]
Beirut, Lon Gisland EP [Get it]
2. Back Home To Harlem [mp3 expired]
The Rosewood Thieves, From The Decker House EP [Get it
3. Don’t Leave [mp3 expired]
Frankel, Chatterbox EP [Get it]
4. High On A Hill [mp3 expired]
The Little Ones, Sing Song EP [Get it]
5. Trouble [mp3 expired]
Voxtrot, Your Biggest Fan EP [Get it]
6. Your Unknown [mp3 expired]
Le Firm, Flugsport EP [Get it]
7. Atrophy [mp3 expired]
City-State, “Wolves” + 4 [Get it]
8. When I Am Gone [mp3 expired]
Sparrow House, Falls EP [Get it]
9. Roll Down The Hill [mp3 expired]
Fields, 7 From The Village [Get it]
10. Dark Rooms [mp3 expired]
Tom Thumb & the Latter Day Saints, Kindermusik EP [Get it]
And although 3epkano doesn’t deem their debut album an EP…I think it should be considering it is 6 tracks with a running time of 31 minutes but I wanted to mention this Self Titled album again because I think it is one of the better instrumental indie-rock albums of this year. Check out the website for some free downloads.
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I want to wish a very Happy Birthday to FiL over at Pogo A Go-Go
You are the greatest FiL!
Dec
15
BBC With A Hawk And A Hacksaw and Tour News
Filed Under Album Picks | 7 Comments
The third album from Albuquerque native Jeremy Barnes but the first album with Heather Trost on violin. The Leaf Label release of The Way The Wind Blows is a gypsy folk dance with an influence of Romanian musicians, Fanfare Ciocarlia, striking brass instrumentals and the romantic melody of violin strings and old world style accordion.
(Zach Condon from Beirut also contributes his trumpet expertise)Like Beirut this duo has a deep appreciation for music and instrumental sound, something I think music these days often neglects. A sophisticated beautiful album that deserves to be heard.
A Hawk And Hawksaw will be on the BBC Radio 3 show, Mixing It today (Friday) and will be available online for a week after the aired session.
They will also be joining Of Montreal on tour for some shows in January. Also according to their record label The Leaf Label:
“Jeremy and Heather will be back in Europe for another tour in May 2007, where they will perform with a group of handpicked Hungarian musicians. There will be a new release to coincide with the tour.”
Courtesy of The Leaf Label a couple of tracks from AHAAH’s new album, take a listen and if you think you have heard AHAAH before I highly recommend taking another listen.
In The River (mp3 expired)
The Way The Wind Blows (mp3 expired)
Album available for purchase HERE (UK) and HERE (US)
Dec
14
All Time Favorite #6
Filed Under All Time Favorite | 5 Comments
Will: I wanna move up to Nashua, get a nice little spread, get some sheep and tend to them.Oh yes, the famous Good Will Hunting. When this film came out I was obsessed, watched it all the time…Still do. Although, I do believe all the hype about this movie has affected me a bit, but that is with most things and if I ignore it I can still find myself lost in the dialogue of this film, especially the conversations of Robin Williams and Matt Damon’s characters.
I have to admit though I think I enjoyed the soundtrack of this film most of all. An Elliott Smith dominated soundtrack with tracks by Al Green, The Dandy Warhols and an original score by Danny Elfman make this film and soundtrack my All Time Favorite #6.
Angeles (mp3 expired) – Elliott Smith
Good Will Hunting Soundtrack
also available on
Either/Or
Dec
12
2006 Album Picks
Filed Under The Lists | 18 Comments
This was not easy…Feel free to leave a comment with your favorite album and selected song from that album in the comments. My other list will follow but for now here are my 2006 Album Picks:
**Alexi Murdoch’s track just below entitled Shine starts out kind of funky, as if it is messed up but it is not so do keep listening.
1. 
Alexi Murdoch, Time Without Consequence [Buy]
Not a big surprise? I don’t know how many times I have mentioned this wonderful human being in the last year, his full length debut was released on June 3, 2006 independent style. If you haven’t checked out his album after all of the times I have suggested it, or if you have still not purchased it then I seriously weep for you. He just recently completed his tour…His next show is in Chicago Illinois, check his myspace for more info.
2. 
Sol Seppy, The Bells Of 1 2 [Buy]
When I first heard Sol Seppy (aka Sophie Michalitsianos, who has collaborated with Sparklehorse) I had a “slow motion” kind of moment; where everything appeared to be gracefully moving around me to the enchanting melodies composed by this classically trained musician. Soft piano notes complement Sophie’s chilling vocals on tracks like, “Gold” and heavy rock driven synths meld with a deep hypnotic beat on tracks like “Move”. The Bells of 1 2 whisks you away with striking arrangements that you hope will never end, an impressive debut to say the least.
3. 
Triggering Back (excerpt)
Benoît Pioulard, Précis [Buy]
This debut album is magnificent and proves that the greatest albums are the one’s you least expect. Précis is an album compiled of lush instrumentals which move through the air as Meluch’s haunting vocals blend together flawlessly. A mesmerizing full length album compiled of dark electronic folk-rock that is amazing and is certain to leave you breathless.
4. 
Gulag Orkestar is the debut album by Albuquerque native now Brooklyn resident Tom Condon that has captured indie-rock fans everywhere. Balkan brass inspired arrangements and rhythmic drums accelerate the romantic twelve piece instrumentals with such a passionate energy it is astounding. Condon’s voice…Leaves me utterly speechless; there is so much emotion in every lyric, in every note that I find it hard to stop listening. I think that is what resonates with me the most, the spirit and pure love for music that Condon puts into every intricately constructed song, it is really quite inspiring. And although Beirut had to cut their tour short due to Condon’s hospitalization from exhaustion, you know he is writing up a storm.
5. 
Muse, Black Holes and Revelations [Buy]
I didn’t see this one coming and what I mean is I simply didn’t for see that their album would be on my end of the year list, especially not my end of the year album list. I think what impressed me the most about this album is the bands apparent drive to progress their sound and progress they did. This album is a multi-genre roller-coaster; they draw from previous legends such as Queen yet manage to maintain their own unique sound. Expanding their guitars to sound greater than ever while mixing in spacey synth electronics, dramatic piano based melodies and Bellamy’s memorable piercing vocals. They push themselves to the very edge of the sound barrier and it is outstanding.
6. 
Band of Horses, Everything All the Time [Buy]
In order to avoid sounding redundant I am going to link to my previous post. I think Band of Horses just blew everyone away with their outstanding song, The Funeral. Unfortunately because it is such an amazing song the rest of the album is overlooked. Like Chad mentions here this album has more to it than just one great song, “The First Song†and “The Great Salk Lakes†are good examples of other stand-out tracks from Everything All the Time.
7. 
The Kooks, Inside In/Inside Out [Buy]
This is another album that has been on my headphones all year since its release in January. This post-punk rock band from the UK has a solid catchy tune that is fresh and filled with a rebellious energy that you can’t help but like. Another band that manages to draw from all genres, they sound good loud with tracks like “If Only†and they sound just as good when they turn the amps down and play acoustic melodic songs like “Seaside†and “Got No Loveâ€.
8. 
Where Have You Been? (myspace)
Manchester Orchestra, I’m like a Virgin Loosing a Child [Buy]
As I type this it comes as a bit of a surprise to be including it on my list, but this is really a fantastic album by this Atlanta based band. “Where Have You Been?†is a song of epic proportions, with Andy Hull’s intense sorrowful voice piercing along with the pounding drums and delicate guitar melody that builds into a passionate ballad that resonates in your mind. They have even managed to bring me to tears a couple of times with the beautiful grief-stricken; “Sleeper 1972†(although I am a little embarrassed admitting that). I highly recommend checking them out. Now, I just wish they would come to California…They don’t even need to come to LA, I would take a road-trip if necessary. Rich, do you think you could tell them to get their asses to California? ;- P
9. 
This album reminds me of an old friend and when it first came out I loved it, listened to it daily for months. Then well it suddenly became difficult to hear Chan Marshalls honest lyrics and I retired The Greatest to my shelf where it remained for months until one day for no particular reason I returned to it, dusted it off and synced up my pod and revisited Chan Marshalls slow revealing vocal melodies and even though it hurt a bit listening, it didn’t matter because I can’t deny how wonderful songs like, Hate and The Greatest are and I also after a 3 year break I can’t deny what a triumphant return Marshall has made with this album.
10. 
Talkdemonic, Beat Romantic [Buy]
Beat Romantic combines traditional instrumentals with modern electronic beats creating some of the most moving arrangements. Kevin O’Connor is the individual behind Talkdemonic and for this album has brought on Lisa Molinaro on Viola for a fantastic collaboration of sound, together the duo create sophisticated emotionally charged “foltronic-hopâ€.
Dec
9
A Band of Horses
Filed Under Album Picks | 7 Comments
It is official Band Of Horses have become one of my favorite bands. I love Ben Bridwell’s voice and their genre defying arrangements.
So since they appear on the newly released OC Mix #6: Covering Our Tracks I thought I would share even though the rest of the blogosphere seems to be sharing it as well. But the rest of the blogosphere is not sharing this demo track of theirs…So yeah enjoy.
This is it until Monday kids when I post my end of the year lists. Have a great rest of your weekend!
-Edit-
mp3 files fixed, thanks Tad for the heads up ;-)
The End’s Not Near (mp3 expired)
Band of Horses (mp3 expired)
OC Mix #6: Covering Our Tracks (2006)
I Lost My Dingle On The Red Line (mp3 expired)
Live Demo courtesy of 3Hive many moons ago
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Music found on this blog is for sampling only. If you like what you hear then support the artist. Buy their music, attend a show and spread the word. If you own the rights to any of the music featured here and you would like me to remove it contact me and I will remove the link immediately.
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