Songbird
Jan
26
No, I do not like the Woods
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I do not usually do this but I have to say upon first listen… I really dislike that song Woods… Bon Iver’s new Blood Bank EP… Justin Vernon synthesizes his voice throughout the entirety of the song and it just drives me nuts. Really not a fan… I did hear remnants of it on For Emma, Forever Ago but I could see past it… There is no seeing past this. Now, the rest of the tracks on the EP are beautiful and gentle, perfect for a winter day. His voice warms my soul 99% of the time… Except when he decides to go synth happy.
p.s. this does mean that I do not care for the music of Kanye West because he too gets a little synth happy… Far too often for my taste.
p.s.s this track is really the star of the EP but the other two are really pretty gems as well.
mp3: Blood Bank
Blood Bank EP 2009 (Jagjaguwar)
Jan
23
In starlight you came from the other side
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Tonight, let in the darkness… Turn the lights down and put on the new album from Antony and The Johnsons, The Crying Light… I want to make sense out of all of this… But we know better then that don’t we? Reason doesn’t live here anymore, left long ago. Fuck it. Who needs fucking reason anyway? Let us drown out the world and hide here forever… Seek shelter from the war raging on outside of these four walls… Turn the lights off… Sit here in silence. Ashes to ashes and dust to dust.
mp3: One Dove
The Crying Light 2009 (Secretly Canadian)
p.s. The Crying Light is beautiful, dark and honest from the beginning to the end… It will take your breath away. Sit down and lose yourself in this gorgeous music.
Jan
21
It’s Raining, It’s Pouring
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I think it is really quite interesting that it has been miserably dry here in the West for the better part of 2 weeks now and since the holiday new music releases have been scarce… Then today the clouds rolled in and the temperature dropped about 10 degrees, there is rain in the air… I come home and check emusic and I officially have no more downloads for the month… That is correct I used all of my 75 downloads all in one sitting. It is not uncommon but still never so fast… Andrew Bird, Antony and the Johnsons and Bon Iver all have been some of the first to release new music for 2009 and I am excited to listen and absorb.
While I am doing that please do have a listen to an EP from this UK based duo, Slow Club. Their EP was released in 2008 but has just come available on emusic about a week ago. Charles And Rebecca create delicious folk that is a delight… I love them.
mp3:Â Â Dance To The Morning Light
Lets Fall Back In Love 2008 (Moshi Moshi Records)
Dec
19
Favorite Albums of 2008
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I wasn’t sure I would get through it, there was some anguish and a little squirming but this is simply because I am terribly indecisive. This year was filled with some amazing debut albums and some solid albums from some of the great veterans. The following list is in no particular order and I do hope you enjoy. Thanks to Scott for helping me with the above image, he did in 10 min what I could do in 2 hours.
Santogold (Lizard King Records)
mp3: My Superman
Santogold’s debut was so diverse, each song adds yet another layer to the album. It was so difficult to choose a favorite song, there is something for everyone on this album. You can bet I will be enjoying it for years to come.
For Emma, Forever Ago (Jagjaguwar)
mp3:Â Flume
I realize Bon Iver will be present on many lists, it is no surprise. It should not be left out because it is popular. It is an awesome album and one worthy to be included on as many lists as possible. I fall in love with it a little more with each listen.
Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down (Cherry Tree Records)
mp3:Â Hold My Hand As I’m Lowered
I came to know Noah and the Whale last year around this time through fellow mp3 blogger To Die By Your Side. They will charm you with their dark acoustic folk. This album should definitely be heard from the beginning to the end, it was so difficult choosing a favorite to share, it is all so good.
Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust (Beggars XL)
mp3: Innà mér syngur vitleysingur
The majestic sounds of this amazing Icelandic band continue to inspire on this fifth full length album. Sigur Ros never seems to disappoint. There is no other word to describe it other than: beautiful.
The Midnight Organ Fight (Fat Cat Records)
mp3:Â The Modern Leper
I love The Midnight Organ Fight. Frightened Rabbit have a sound entirely their own with hazy rock accompanying singer Scott Hutchison belting out dark, honest lyrics. This album is so very well done.
mp3:Â Metal Heart
When I hear Chan Marshall sing I can’t function… She infuses so much soul into every one of her songs. This album is filled with Chan Marshall’s interpretation of some long loved songs and as always it is fantastic. ***I know I have posted this song before but unfortunately I can not post one of her covers without getting an email or threat from the Web Sheriff…
Parc Avenue (Secret City Records)
This Canadian born band definitely got my attention with their full length debut. This album is filled with 70’s rock inspired pop that you can’t help but dance to.
mp3: Lost Coastlines
The Stand Ins is the sequel to last years The Stage Names. This album really grew on me, at first I thought it had one or two great songs on it but upon further listen the album as a whole is memorable with creative novelistic lyrics and toe tapping indie rock.
House With No Home (Kill Rock Stars)
mp3:Â Â Curs In The Weeds
This second album from this brother and sister duo is brilliant. It is an album filled with hushed vocals and gorgeous acoustic melodies that are so delicate. It is really a pleasure all the way through.
Friendly Fires (XL Recordings)
mp3:Â Jump In The Pool
This album was another excellent surprise, this UK based band busted on the scene with their soaring pop and funky grooving debut. This album is brilliant from top to bottom.
Dec
9
Department of Eagles
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Just listening tonight…
mp3: In Ear Park
In Ear Park 2008 (4AD)
Department of Eagles on myspace
Available at Amazon and eMusic
Dec
3
I Could Use A Little Magic…
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A magic carpet ride. *Sigh*
It was a rough day… My job would be great if all I did was check artwork for print and I didn’t have to worry about communicating with the clients. Trying to explain printing to someone who has no idea how it works is tiring, unfortunately that is about 95% of the population… Which is something I need to remind myself everyday. So in case you couldn’t tell I needed a little pick me up after work… The first thing I went for was the debut album from Ladyhawke, it is the perfect get off of work album as I go barreling down the highway singing along at the top of my lungs… It is awesome. I am not the biggest fan of the 80’s, but Ladyhawke manages to encompass all the things that were actually cool about that colorful decade. Unfortunately I have one major concern… Where is Pip Brown going to go from here? It will be hard to get too excited over another throw back to the 80’s album if she doesn’t give us her interpretation… Now that being said, damn it if this album doesn’t just make me want to get up and dance. It kicks some serious 80’s ass!
mp3: Magic
mp3:Â Crazy World
Ladyhawke 2008 (Modular)
Ladyhawke on myspace
Album also available at eMusic
Nov
30
Hollywood Adventure Bites The Dust
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MILK the new Gus Van Sant film was released this week at the ArcLight in Hollywood… Figured I would try to catch the 4PM showing today… Silly me. They closed down Sunset Blvd and Hollywood Blvd not to mention the surrounding streets for a parade! WTF? So I had to find out what Parade closed down the streets of Hollywood… It was the Hollywood Santa Parade 2008… WTF? Drove to Hollywood and got stuck in surface street traffic and missed the showing of a film I was looking forward to seeing all weekend long. Whatever, I feel somewhat to blame as they did have an announcement on the front page of the ArcLight website, although if you go through Google you wouldn’t see it anyway.
Needless to say I was quite pleased to return home to relax and enjoy my Sunday evening while listening to Lisa Hannigan. Lisa is darling and if I could I would love to put her in my pocket and have the ability to pull her out every opportunity to get a custom life soundtrack. I wonder if that sounds appealing to Lisa Hannigan? Probably not. Hannigan has been accompanying Damien Rice on stage and in studio for the better first half of her career, she has recently released her solo debut Sea Sew and it is a wonderful. I look forward to hearing more from her in the future, she is definitely someone I plan on keeping my eye on. She just recently signed with ATO Records but the album itself has been available through iTunes and eMusic for awhile now. She was also just featured on the Nov. 20th episode of Grey’s Anatomy.
mp3:Â Sea Song
mp3:Â Lille
Sea Sew 2008 (ATO Records)
Album available here
Nov
23
Sweet Sweet Daniel Martin Moore
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*Sigh*
*Bats eye lashes and blushes*
Daniel Martin Moore creates simple acoustic indie/folk which stirs the heart and relaxes the soul… Seriously I am not kidding. I am like a puddle on the floor when I listen to him. His debut album is dreamy and I couldn’t think of a better album to get lost in on this crisp Sunday evening.
mp3: Stray Age
mp3: My Dream
Stray Age 2008 (Sub Pop Records)
Album available at Amazon
Nov
18
Santogold’s Debut
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It has taken me awhile to grasp this debut album by Santogold, Santi White is the unique voice behind this amazing debut album. White draws on so many influences on this album and does a damn good job of mixing it all together into a new unique sound. It is the strong bass rhythms that drive most of the songs that got my interest from the start and the album is solid from the opening track L.E.S. Artistes to Creator (vs. Switch and FreQ Nasty) to Anne. Santi White teams up with old band mate John Hill, together they mix Hip- Hop, Reggae, Indie- Rock, Pop and electronic… And it is just brilliant.
P.S. This was one of the hardest song picks I have ever had to do and I have been doing this for 2+ years.
mp3: L.E.S. Artistes
mp3: Creator (vs. Switch and FreQ Nasty)
Santogold 2008 (Lizard King)
Album available at Amazon and eMusic
Nov
13
Stars How I Love Thee
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They just get better and better… I mean there is something so tender about their music. This is an achingly dreary EP with a live version of an older song of theirs, Going, Going, Gone. The EP is a mix of a little electronica along with some beautiful soaring rock melodies like the stand out track, A Thread Cut With A Carving Knife. The only hiccup on this 6 song self released EP is 14 Forever, which is a good single but just seemed out of place to me… Regardless the EP is a nice treat from this fantastic Montreal based band.
P.S. Please do support the band buy purchasing Sad Robot directly from the band as they have taken a departure from their record label Arts & Crafts for this digital release. Enjoy!
mp3: Going, Going, Gone (Live Version)
Sad Robots EP 2008
Stars on myspace
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