This Lonely Island track has been blasting pretty much non stop at my dorm so I’ll share the love. I doubt you haven’t seen or heard this yet but god damn it’s hilarious:
[mp3] : The Lonely Island – I’m On A Boat (Feat. T-Pain)
as a bonus here is another hilarious track from the album
[mp3] : The Lonely Island – We Like Sportz
Surf City are a band from New Zealand that have pop aspirations. The songs are lo-fi but in often works to their favor over the course of their self titled EP. Take a look at their influences listed on their myspace: sonic youth, the clean, velvet undergound, the jesus and mary chain, the beach boys, the zombies. That should give you some idea of the different sounds and genres that Surf City put together.There are some vocal moments that gave me an Animal Collective vibe (Avey Tare more so). The lo-fi vocals over the sharp guitars also reminded me of The Strokes! These are all good things! Surf City put together a really strong 6 song EP that demonstrates their talent effectively. I am impressed, grab this EP immideatley! Try out two of my favorite songs:
[mp3] : Surf City – Dickshakers Union
[mp3] : Surf City – Mt. Kill
Chairlift really had a huge 2008. We have seen how effective their placement on that ipod ad was. The effect was so huge that the bands popularity soared catching the attention of many fans, as well as Columbia Records. The record company has plans to re-release Chairlift’s debut album “Does You Inspire You” on April 21st. The album will be completely remastered with two new tracks “Le Flying Saucer Hat” and “Dixie Gypsy”. The latter was produced by Grizzly Bear’s very own Chris Bear. Chairlift recently performed with Clap Your Hands Say Yeah and are currently on their first tour of 2009 with YACHT, Sebastian Tellier and Peter, Bjorn & John. They will be performing the following dates at SXSW:
Thurs. 3/19 Other Music Showcase @ Red 7 – 12AM
Thurs. 3/19 Gigotron/Videothing Showcase @ Club 1808
Fri. 3/20 Urban Outfitters Party – 5PM
Fri. 3/20 Under the Radar Party @ Flamingo Cantina – 3:15PM
Sat. 3/21 Filter Magazine Party@ 1PM
Sat. 3/21 This Side Up Sounds Party @ Red Eyed Fly
2009 should be another big year for the band. Here is a reminder of why:
[mp3] : Chairlift -Bruises
London based indie rockers The Chap make music that is quirky but danceable. They are often described as ““pop improv disco rock with strings”. Quite a badass description, don’t you think? They have a blend of many different styles and influences that have made many people happy over seas. For the first time ever The Chap are finally coming to the U.S. hitting up SXSW and other dates from coast to coast. If you are unfamilar with the band check out two mp3′s from their last album “Mega Breakfast”:
[mp3] : The Chap – Carlos Walter Wendy Stanley
[mp3] : The Chap – Proper Rock
Here are the tour dates, if they stop by a city near you go check it out!:
3.12 Lexington, KY @ The University of Kentucky
03.13 Ann Arbor, MI @ The Blind Pig w/ Nomo
03.14 Hamtramck, MI @ Throwbridge House of Coffee
03.15 Chicago, IL @ Schubas w/ Nomo
03.17 Forth Worth, TX @ Lola’s Sixth w/ Deastro
03.18 Austin, TX SXSW @ Club 1808 (8:30pm)
03.18 Austin, TX SXSW @ Mohawk (12am)
03.21 Austin, TX SXSW @ Urban Outfitters (2pm)
03.24 Atlanta, GA @ Eyedrum
03.26 Poughkeepsie, NY @ Matthew’s Mug (Vassar College)
03.27 New York, NY @ Le Poisson Rouge
03.28 New York, NY @ Cake Shop w/ Deastro
It is great to see the overwhelming success that Phoenix’s new song “1901″ is having across the blogosphere. The song has been the most discussed song of the last week and rightfully so, it is spectacular. I just got an email filling me in on all the details of their upcoming album “Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix”. It is one of the most anticipated albums of the year for me, and hopefully for you as well. Here are some of the things from the press release that I thought were worthy enough to share:
Born out of restlessness and a steady hunt for inspiration, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix is a career-defining album, filled with the band’s signature melding of synthetics and organics, sharp, danceable rhythms, infectious choruses with a considerable dose of aural panache, and candy-colored pop sensibilities. These songs are some of their most exuberantly playful, yet also some of the most complex they’ve recorded, more layered and intensely propulsive than previous efforts. Indeed, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix is nothing short of elative, creating what is sure to be the soundtrack to late-night summer adventures all over the globe. Staying true to what makes Phoenix so special, a sense of whimsical breeziness envelopes these songs, as if they’ve sprung fully-formed from the band’s collective creative hands in a state of utter pop perfection.From opener and first single “Lisztomania,” it’s clear this is Phoenix light-years beyond anything they’ve done before, a testament to the record’s finely-tuned intricacy and melodic structures. “1901” leaps out of the speakers, already vying for the Best Song of 2009, with its fizzy power synths, rollicking drums and downright anthemic chorus. “Fences” is velvet-smooth and soulful, twinkling like a disco ball above the dancefloor with shimmering keys, chugging acoustic guitars and Thomas’ lovelorn croon, while “Love Like A Sunset” is the band at their experimental best, allowing the song to build in billowing sound and unhinged keyboard noises until it all melts away, leaving only Thomas’ transcendent vocal at the end. “Rome” will inevitably be the score to a film scene where the male lead turns his back on his love, with its cinematic, psychedelic keyboard chorus, syncopated guitar and lyrical declarations of a love that’s fallen like the ancient European capital. Closing track “Armistice” is coiled and sinister, ending the album with staggered keyboard notes left hanging in the balance.
I have high hopes! They surely won’t let me down. I have been rocking “1901″ pretty consistantly.
[mp3] : Phoenix – 1901
Neko Case has a great voice and she uses it to make gorgeous music for both the New Pornographers, and as a solo artist. Stereogum posted “Middle Cyclone” the title track off her new album. It definetly gets my seal of approval (whatever thats worth!). It is some really nice work, she has done it again. Give “Middle Cyclone” a free download below, and once that amazes you stream the whole album at NPR.
[mp3] : Neko Case – Middle Cyclone
Have you heard of the Harlem Shakes yet? If not, you are just in time! I am pretty guilty myself considering that it took me this long to give them a proper listen. After finally giving the Brooklyn based band a chance, they have become one of my newest obsessions. They have been around the scene for a while, releasing their debut EP “Burning Birthdays” in 2006. I had seen their name around blogs for quite some time and finally looked into them after hearing a few songs off their myspace. Also, finding out that they opened up for both Arctic Monkeys & Vampire Weekend (two bands I can’t get enough of) helped spark my interest. I tracked down their EP which is a very good introduction to the band.
Describing the band is quite simple. They play jaw dropping catchy pop with harmonies and hooks flying at you at every moment. Each instrument has a very noticeable role on each song resulting in a fusion of many different sounds and styles that not many bands can incorporate. At least without giving you a headache. The funny thing about the lead vocalist Lexy is that he reminds me of 3 different singers at once. His voice sounds like Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, The View, and Born Ruffians at different times respectively.
I won’t lie, I have heard their debut album “Technicolor Health” already. How is it you ask? Absolutely awesome. 2009 has been a nice year so far but this album really clicked with me from the very first song and didn’t let go until the very last second. A lot of albums this year took multiple listens for me to get into it. On Technicolor, every song sounds absolutely fresh and different from each other, as well as anything else on the music scene. These are joyful songs that can make your day that much better. Each track has a definitive moment that really makes it stand out from the rest. It may be a harmony, hand claps, or a lush moment created by a keyboard. They got a lot of good stuff going.
Expect a lot more in the future about Harlem Shakes. They are going to take ’09 by storm!
[mp3] : Harlem Shakes – Strictly Game
For more info: Visit Harlem Shakes on Myspace
You can now call me excited for Cursive’s new record “Mamma, I’m Swollen” (due March 10th) on the awesome Saddle Creek Records. “From The Hips” is a stellar introduction the album. It starts off relaxed with reserved vocals and light instrumentation. Unexpectedly the song picks up steam midway which really makes it stand out. It is a real solid song, I am impressed!
Grab it:
[mp3] : Cursive – From The Hips
Consider this an introduction to the Takeover UK. (They are not British, they are actually from Pittsburgh!) Without knowing anything about them, I was emailed their music video for “Ah La La” their infectious song off both their debut EP “It’s All Happening” as well as their upcoming debut album “Running With The Wasters”. The song is as catchy as they come. The Takeover UK tried to make the catchiest pop rock song possible and they succeeded. Keep an eye out for them this year, I have a feeling you will be seeing a lot of them!
[mp3] : The Takeover UK – Ah La La
Glasgow’s Bricolage will have their debut self titled album in U.S. stores this May. I could describe them for you (they are from Glasgow and toured with the one and only Franz Ferdinand…….) but if you just click the song below you will get a good enough idea:
[mp3] : Bricolage – Turn U Over
