Jul
8
Ritual Union
By Rachel | Music Mix Up | Leave a Comment
Little Dragon always seems to get me up and moving with their electronic pop dance music. Looking forward to their new album Ritual Union set to be released July 26th. Happy Friday!
Briefly spoke about Little Dragon here. My favorite remix on this EP is the Tensnake Remix. Check it. xx
Ritual Union Remix EP 2011 (Peacefrog)
Tags: Electronic, Little Dragon, Music 2011Jul
6
Beach Fossils, What A Pleasure
By Rachel | Music Mix Up | 3 Comments
Welcome back! How about some dreamy shoegaze pop to bring us back into swing of things around here? Beach Fossils is all about the fuzzy, gooey dream pop. Their new album, What a Pleasure just makes you feel good and gives off that happy summer beach vibe.
What A Pleasure 2011 (Captured Tracks)
Tags: Beach Fossils, Dream-Pop, Music 2011, Shoegaze
Jun
30
Wonderful My Morning Jacket
By Rachel | Album Picks | 2 Comments
Off to New York this morning… So I thought what better than to post something familiar, something soothing. Jim James has a voice of an angel.
Have a lovely Holiday weekend here in the States and I will see you all next week!
Wonderful (The Way I Feel) – My Morning Jacket
Circuital 2011 (ATO Records)
Tags: Jim James, Music 2011, My Morning Jacket, PsychadelicJun
29
Johnny Flynn & Laura Marling Video
By Rachel | Music Mix Up | Leave a Comment
So beautiful…
The Water – Johnny Flynn Featuring Laura Marling
Tags: Folk, Johnny Flynn, Laura Marling, VideoJun
27
The Civil Wars, Beautiful Folk
By Rachel | Album Picks | Leave a Comment
“There’s no reasons, no excuses
There’s no second-hand alibis
Just some black ink on some blue lines
And a shadow you won’t recognize”
Tonight something wonderful, something mellow and calming. I am flying to NY on Thursday… Flying always freaks me out just a bit. The stress and nerves get me every time and these days it is so much more difficult with all the security and restrictions… that alone is enough to make anyone feel a bit on edge. I am not a big traveler, there is something about being stuck with all these strangers for 5+ hours that gives me a bit of the heebie jeebies. But I do love NY and I am excited to be there for a few days with my Mom, family and friends.
I am currently listening to the debut full length from The Civil Wars, really a bare bones beautiful album. Also, check out Pressing Flowers from their Poison & Wine EP, gorgeous track that should be in everyone’s music library. xx
Barton Hollow 2011 (Sensibility Music)
Tags: Acoustic, Folk, Music 2011, Singer-Songwriter, The Civil WarsJun
23
Bon Iver Goes Bold
By Rachel | Album Picks | 1 Comment
…and at once i knew i was not magnificent.
high above the highway aisle
(jagged vacance, thick with ice)
i could see for miles, miles, miles
There is a certain freedom you hear on this new album, an openness and greater depth that was not previously heard on For Emma, Forever Ago. Bon Iver is an album filled with elaborate, vivid arrangements accompanied by Justin Vernon’s unique vocals. This album is Bon Iver the band.  It breathes life into your ears and you feel the emotion. It is bold, dreamy and beautiful, a definite favorite of 2011.
Holocene (explicit lyrics) – Bon Iver
Bon Iver 2011 (Jagjaguwar)
Tags: Bon Iver, Folk, Music 2011, Singer-SongwriterJun
21
Another Rose Wilts In East Harlem
By Rachel | Album Picks | 2 Comments
It has been a few years since we heard from Beirut. So when I heard they have a new album coming out I was extremely excited… And from what I hear on the single, East Harlem it is going to be good. The new album, The Rip Tide is set to be released at the end of August.
As unique as Zach Condon’s music is there is something comforting about it, his voice, the delicate yet powerful European Balkan folk music that is mixed with just the right amount of indie-pop to keep it modern. There is a reason why I have all of his albums and I have seen him live and will probably see him again at the next opportunity. He is one of a kind and in a generic world where American Idol popular contest folks are selling more albums than the Grammy winning band Arcade Fire, I tend to cherish bands like Beirut.
East Harlem – Beirut
East Harlem 2011 (Pompeii Records)
Tags: Beirut, Folk, Music 2011Jun
17
All Of This
By Rachel | Album Picks | Leave a Comment
There is a lot to look forward to this summer. Weddings, friends have babies, my Mom is retiring from teaching after 35 years, parties and turning 30? I am super excited for the coming months ahead. It is going to be a good summer. I will tell you right now what is going to be at the for front of my summer music list? The Naked and Famous. Their debut album is unbelievable. A fantastic combination of electro-pop rock that just makes you want to dance. It will get you up and dancing no matter what time of day it is or how terrible the day was, you listen to this album and life is a party. And right now in my life I am all about the party.
All Of This (explicit lyrics) – The Naked And Famous
Passive Me, Aggressive You 2011 (Republic)
Previously mentioned here
Tags: Electro-Pop, Music 2011, The Naked And Famous
Jun
13
Last Orange Hours Of The Day
By Rachel | Album Picks | 1 Comment
I think what attracts me most to Okkervil River is their lyrics. “West over water I rambled and paced/And the blood river raced like the sweat down my face/And the stadium roared, and the warriors embraced/And the golden shore groaned beneath the weight of my tastes/And I blazed in the last orange hours of the day/Until the dust hazed and hid us away.” They have always had great lyrics, but I think on this album Will Sheff pushes the envelope of his song writing capabilities. The lyrics are darker, more poetic and he opens himself up to the song writing process allowing himself musical freedom by becoming the producer. Rider is an indie-rock anthem that really stands out on their new album I Am Very Far as well as the opening track The Valley.
I Am Very Far 2011 (Jagjaguwar)
Tags: Indie Rock, Music 2011, Okkervil RiverJun
9
Morning Thought
By Rachel | Album Picks | Leave a Comment
I needed to zone out and listen to music tonight, forget about the day and just live right there in the moment with the music. I know I sound a little kumbayaish right now but I am just going to roll with it. I am currently listening to, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr., It’s A Corporate World and I highly recommend you listen to it too.
Morning Thought – Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.
It’s A Corporate World 2011 (Warner Bros.)
Tags: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr., Electronic, Folk, Indie Pop, Music 2011, Pop