Songbird
May
22
Stars, Do You Trust Your Friends?
By Rachel | Album Picks | 3 Comments
Do You Trust Your Friends? 2007 I posted about the Stars album Do You Trust Your Friends? awhile back, which you can find here. The album has officially been released on the Arts & Crafts label and I highly recommend picking up a copy because it is a fantastic collection of re-invented songs from their brilliant 2005 release, Set Yourself on Fire
And I couldn’t think of a better song to post in celebration that I am no longer unemployed still unemployed but this entire album is still fabulous and this rendition of the Stars, Celebration Drums still makes me smile
Cheers!
mp3: Celebration Drums – Camouflage Nights with Kevin Drew
Do You Trust Your Friends 2007 – Get It
May
21
City-State, Monument
By Rachel | Album Picks | 1 Comment
City-State, Monument 2007
The band City-State quickly became one of my favorite new bands when I heard their
“Wolves” + 4 EP last year, in fact it was #7 on my 2006 EP Picks.
The bands new album, Monument was released this past week on Liberty Fuse Records and once again this 4 member band from Washington D.C. has dropped in and swept me away with intense marching drums and atmospheric guitars. And Jim Anderson’s soaring vocals blend effortlessly with the dark melodic rock. Monument does a wonderful job of displaying City-State’s own unique style amongst their post-punk rock comrade’s.
mp3: Mary – City State
mp3: The Dakota – City State
Monument 2007 – Get It
May
19
Music Is Art – Song Context Part III
By Rachel | Music Mix Up | 2 Comments
I was quite honored when Danielle from the wonderful music blog, Music Is Art asked me to contribute to such a unique feature such as her “Song Context” feature. I highly recommend checking it out, you will be hooked! Music Is Art is one of my favorite music blogs, bookmark it if you haven’t already.Song Context Part III
May
17
Ensemble And Cat Power
By Rachel | Album Picks | 2 Comments
Ensemble – Disown, Delete
Well…I am pretty much done with this day. And I think I am 0 and 3 in my music picks, I have been getting some grief and I give myself enough of that already, hopefully all ruffling of feathers will cease and we can all sit down and listen to some damn good music. Cheers!
Perfect song to end this day. Wooo hooo.
Ensemble teams up with Cat Power on their 2006 self-titled release (Fat Cat Records), a match made in heaven indeed. A beautiful ambient folk melody dances with Power’s sultry soul and I just don’t want it to end.
Good night!
mp3: Disown, Delete – Ensemble, Cat Power (vocals)
Ensemble 2006 – Get It
May
15
BOAT, Let’s Drag Our Feet
By Rachel | Album Picks | 3 Comments
Ahhh yes the extraordinary oddball indie-rock band BOAT from Seattle, Washington has a new album, Let’s Drag Our Feet out July 10th on Magic Marker Records. A 14 track album filled with music that is energetic and original. I will even go as far as to consider BOAT to be the poster band for indie-pop in my mind, fun-tastic music indeed. They have a handful of summer shows lined up, check their myspace for more info.
I hope everyone had a lovely Mother’s Day yesterday, I took my mom to see The Hoax, it was entertaining, pretty good and funny.
I also finally designed a new header that I’m actually happy with for Untitled 2.0…I know I’ve been talking about it for the last decade now…But moving to a new place on the net is not easy, and perfection takes time. ;-)
Enjoy!
mp3: (I’m A) Donkey For Your Love – BOAT
mp3: Let’s Drag Our Feet! – BOAT
Let’s Drag Our Feet 2007 – Get It
May
10
The Clientele Saves My Sanity
By Rachel | Album Picks | 2 Comments
My car over-heated yesterday!!! My poor 2004 VW Golf…I think at some point I seriously angered the car gods…Anyways I had her towed to the closest VW dealer because it is still under warranty and it turns out the water pump was busted…I thought it was for sure the thermostat but I guess this is why I am not a mechanic. It was all covered under warranty (Weeeee). But they tried their hardest to get some money out of me because suddenly my hood release isn’t working correctly (even though I had just opened it when she started over-heating and it seemed perfectly fine to me) so they either broke it or they were trying to screw me, I’m thinking it’s both so I told them to just fix what needed to be fixed and that was that.But given the circumstances I needed some dreamy indie-pop to take me to a land filled with beautiful flowers and dancing elephants…The Clientele is a four piece band from the UK who make some of the dreamiest psych-pop with a 60’s flare I have heard since Belle & Sebastian. Their new album God Save The Clientele (Merge Records) was just released this past Tuesday and it is pop-tastic indeed. Cheers!
mp3 expired: Somebody Changed – The Clientele
mp3 expired: Carnival on 7th Street – The Clientele
God Save The Clientele 2007 – Get It
Mp3’s are expired but you can stream the entire album at their website here
May
9
Shannon Wright & The Sea and Cake
By Rachel | Album Picks | 1 Comment
Quite a few new releases this week…I don’t even know where to start…
Singer/Songwriter Shannon Wright releases her sixth solo album on Quarterstick Records entitled, Let In The Light. Her music is a delicate mix of emotionally charged ballads and simple bare bone beats, proving that she is one of indie-rock’s finest.
mp3: Idle Hands – Shannon Wright
mp3: St.Pete – Shannon Wright
Let In The Light 2007 – Get It
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The Sea and Cake are an indie bubble rock band from Chicago, Illinois, band line up: Sam Prekop (guitar and vocals), Archer Prewitt (guitar), John McEntire (drums) and Erik Claridge (bass). They just released their first full length album after a four year hiatus on Thrill Jockey Records entitled, Everybody. A ten track album filled with effortless dream-pop that is just lovely in every way, leaves me feeling all warm and fuzzy.
mp3: Middlenight – The Sea and Cake
mp3: Exact To Me – The Sea and Cake
Everybody 2007 – Get It
That’s all I’m giving up for now…More tomorrow, hope everyone has a wonderful Wednesday. And to all my fellow Californians try to stay cool.
May
6
Sunday Mini Mix
By Rachel | Album Picks | 7 Comments
I have a few random tracks I’ve been digging taken from some recent releases and some not so recent…A little indie-pop to brighten your Sunday along with some dreamy indie-rock to sweep you to far away lands.
mp3: Say What You Will – The Lea Shores
Guillotine 2007 – Get It
mp3: Your Fridge And I, The Insomniac – The Camaromance
Different Paths 2006 – Get It
mp3: Thursday – Asobi Seksu
Friendly Fire Recordings Sampler 2007 – Get It
mp3: Faster Peach – The Harvey Girls
Declinate 2007 – Get It
On another note, I’ve seen a few great films in the past couple of weeks that deserve a mention and a couple out on DVD as well:
“The TV Set”
Written and Directed by Jake Kasdan
Quite a funny flick (Mentok, I highly recommend)
“The Namesake”
Screenplay by Sooni Taraporevala, Directed by Mira Nair
My mom wanted to see this film so we went for her birthday, I’ve been raving about it ever since.
“Waitress”
Written and Directed by Adrienne Shelly
This was a good film, I enjoyed it but there were a couple of things that just didn’t work for me. If you see it, chime in and we can discuss.
On DVD
“Little Children”
Written and Directed by Todd Field
“Volver”
Written and Directed by Pedro Almodóvar
May
5
Sisters Bianca and Sierra Casady are behind the funky Avant-garde trip-hop goodness you hear. Pitchfork hated it but I think it deserves a listen. Even if it is just to hear the seductive dream pop of Promise. Just the way I like to kick off my weekend indeed. Similar artists: Joanna Newsom, Portishead and Bjork
mp3: Rainbowarriors – CocoRosie
The Adventures of Ghosthorse and Stillborn (Touch and Go, 2007) – Get It
May
1
Frog Eyes, Tears of the Valedictorian
By Rachel | Album Picks | 4 Comments
Melanie Campbell, Spencer Krug, Carey Mercer, Michael Rak and McCloud Zicmuse are the main members of Frog Eyes and Absolutely Kosher just released their new album Tears of the Valedictorian.
And I think we all agree that Mr. Krug can do no wrong, this album is no exception.
mp3: Idle Songs – Frog Eyes
mp3: …Eagle Energy – Frog Eyes
Tears of the Valedictorian 2007 – GET IT
Disclaimer
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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