Songbird
Apr
13
5 Things You Probably Don’t Know
Filed Under Album Picks | 7 Comments
I am in a bit of a sharing mood and thought I need to open up a little more… The truth is once I gave up my anonymity I have felt a lot more restricted on the personal side of things. So I decided while listening to Dr. Dog’s new album that I am going to open up and tear down a bit of the wall I tend to keep up. Before that, just a quick mention of the new album from the wonderfully retro band Dr. Dog. Shame, Shame is pretty much awesome from beginning to end. A new producer and label has perhaps helped to refine their music, but at the same time still keeping the unique sound that is Dr. Dog. I am loving it. Now, five things you probably don’t know about me:
1. I have a hard time watching violence, even a gun shot can make my body squirm. Although I do see movies with violence, unnecessary violence like horror films… no way!
2. Only recently am I able to swallow 2 vitamins/pills at a time, I used to have to take them one at a time and I still only take them 2 at a time, too chicken to try 3.
3. I am a recovering addict. I am sure you all are racking your brains on what the addiction was but it is not really about what it was but more about what I have overcome, and that it is possible.
4. I brake for all animals… Even insects. Truth be told I have actually stepped on the brakes for a butterfly.
5. Keeping with the same theme as #4… I try to put spiders outside rather then killing them. They are just lost.
mp3:Â Someday
Shame, Shame 2010 (ANTI)
Available at eMusic
Apr
6
My Have We Grown
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I have found some joy in the Morning Benders new album, Big Echo… I couldn’t wait to share this album release. It actually was released a few weeks back, but was not available digitally until today. Love it. The last time I posted about the Morning Benders I threw them into a little 2007 mix and here we are again almost 3 years later to the date… Coincidence? Maybe… This new album is so much more atmospheric then they were back then in 2007 and oh how it suits them so very well. They have grown so much in the last 3 years and so have I. It’s interesting to look back on it now…
mp3:Â Wet Cement
The Big Echo 2010 (Rough Trade)
Available at eMusic
Mar
23
Just Hit Play
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Short post tonight as I just want to relax with a glass of wine and some delicious Brie cheese, I came home and hit play and smiled. Jason Collett’s new album is growing on me more and more each day. Sit back with me and enjoy some wine, cheese and good tunes? Yes please!
mp3: Rave On Sad Songs
Rat A Tat Tat 2010 (Arts & Crafts)
Available at eMusic
Mar
16
So Very Tired
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I am so tired and this is partly due to the fact that it was 82 degrees here in Southern California today and according to the weather people it will be like this for the rest of the week! What ticks me off the most is when the weather people get all chipper about it, “It’s a BEAUTIFUL day!” “SHUT UP!”. It is not beautiful in fact it is disgusting and smoggy and my nose hurts, eyes burn and I am sweating in March… This is not my definition of beautiful by any means… Sigh.
Sorry about that rant there… Someone had to say it. Anyways… What is beautiful? Seabear. Atmospheric melodies mixed with a kooky indie-pop creating something truly unique. The lead singer, Sindri Már Sigfusson might sound familiar from another project of his Sin Fang Bous. We Built A Fire is the bands second full length album and one that I have been playing over and over. Enjoy!
p.s. Do some rain dancing for me please! I need all the help I can get.
mp3:Â Lion Face Boy
We Built A Fire 2010 (Morr Music)
Available on Emusic
Mar
9
New Band-Loving Feeling
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The debut album from James Mercer (The Shins lead singer) and Brian Burton (aka Danger Mouse) has gotten some notice to say the least. Two guys who are extremely gifted in making music get together decide to make an indie-rock experimental record that has the music scene all salivating and hailing praise… And they do it in a matter of months…Yes please! I look forward to enjoying this album for years to come.
mp3:Â Citizen (mp3 removed)
Broken Bells 2010 (Sony)
Feb
22
Well Hello There
Filed Under Music Mix Up | 7 Comments
How very nice to meet you Phantogram… If you enjoy The xx and Portishead then there is a strong possibility that you may also take a liking to Phantogram. A little hip-hop mixed with deviant synth-pop, soul and electronic loops to make this one of the stranger albums that I have listened to in a long time. The album has a handful of stand out tracks that have me replaying over and over. Here is one of my favs. Enjoy!
mp3:Â When I’m Small
Eyelid Movies 2010 (Barsuk Records)
Available at eMusic
Feb
16
Waiting Forever For You
Filed Under Album Picks | 6 Comments
Sigh No More is not really that new as it has been out in the UK for awhile but I have been waiting to get this album for quite some time…Â Mumford & Sons‘ debut full length album is an organic folk-rock delight. A wonderful balance of just enough dark folk lyrics blended with some great rootsy rock. The lyrics are really what pull me in though… Lyrical poetry. Beautiful.
And after the storm,
I run and run as the rains come
And I look up, I look up,
on my knees and out of luck,
I look up.Night has always pushed up day
You must know life to see decay
But I won’t rot, I won’t rot
Not this mind and not this heart,
I won’t rot.And I took you by the hand
And we stood tall,
And remembered our own land,
What we lived for.And there will come a time, you’ll see, with no more tears.
And love will not break your heart, but dismiss your fears.
Get over your hill and see what you find there,
With grace in your heart and flowers in your hair.And now I cling to what I knew
I saw exactly what was true
But oh no more.
That’s why I hold,
That’s why I hold with all I have.
That’s why I hold.I will die alone and be left there.
Well I guess I’ll just go home,
Oh God knows where.
Because death is just so full and mine so small.
Well I’m scared of what’s behind and what’s before.And there will come a time, you’ll see, with no more tears.
And love will not break your heart, but dismiss your fears.
Get over your hill and see what you find there,
With grace in your heart and flowers in your hair.And there will come a time, you’ll see, with no more tears.
And love will not break your heart, but dismiss your fears.
Get over your hill and see what you find there,
With grace in your heart and flowers in your hair.
mp3:Â After the Storm
Sigh No More 2009 uk/2010 us (Glassnote)
Feb
7
A Little More Pep Please
Filed Under Music Mix Up | 5 Comments
I have no pep in my step this evening… I have a pounding headache and I have been mostly nauseous all day. Just not really into it tonight unfortunately. Something quick and straight to the point then. Shout Out Louds are coming out with a new full length album later on this month entitled Work but to tide us over they released a little digital EP which shuffled on this evening and I felt like it was just perfection.
mp3:Â Fall Hard
Fall Hard EP 2010 (Merge Records)
Available on eMusic
Feb
3
And We Took Notice
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Finally I took notice… Because I will be honest I never took notice of Laura Veirs. This Portland based singer-songwriter is making waves with her 7th full length album. Yeah that’s right she has been chugging along for quite some time. I took a look back at some of her older stuff and it seems she has really come to life on July Flame. Not sure what changed, but the infusion of her love-drenched lyrics and delicate piano/guitar melodies has me feeling like I am walking barefoot in a glorious meadow with unicorns. This album is fresh and beautiful. When it plays I envision a magical forest billowing out of the speakers. Well done fair lady, well done.
mp3:Â Make Something Good (Featuring Jim James)
July Flame 2010 (Raven Marching Band)
Jan
26
And We Waited Forever
Filed Under Album Picks | 4 Comments
I have been waiting for the release of this album for months and boy did it not disappoint. IRM was produced by Beck and his musical influence is perfect for this French born artist. The album is fantastic from beginning to end mixing spacey Beck melodies with Gainsbourg’s beautiful vocals creating a refreshing new sound and direction for Gainsbourg, one in which will land her on many year end lists. It may be early in the year but I am quite positive that IRM will be on my year end list hands down. Enjoy!
mp3:Â IRM
IRM 2009 (Elektra Records)
Charlotte Gainsbourg on myspace
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