Here is reason #232323232323 why I am pissed that I can never go to SXSW. Grizzly Bear played Two Weeks with Victoria Legrand for the first time live. This version with the lovely lady from Beach House is the way it will be on the GRIZZ’s upcoming album “Veckatimest”. The performance is nothing short of spectacular as you would expect. I only wish I was there to see it.
Do you like The Knife or The Chromatics? If you do, there is a chance that you may like NYC’s The Ropes. They are made up of vocalist/bassist Sharon Shy and multi-instrumentalist Toppy who is known for playing drums with the guitar hanging around his neck.
The song I got for you guys today is called “Be My Gun”. It is a good representation of the bands sound. Sharon’s vocals really give the song a gentle nature with great instrumentation all around allowing the song to soar through the air. It is a enchanting song, one that made me feel better after just one listen. This great track is only a taste of what the band has to offer. They released a full length album last summer called “What They Do For Fun” the EP for “Be My Gun” came out two weeks ago.
[mp3] : The Ropes – Be My Gun
Today the Decemberists new album “The Hazards Of Love” came out physically (it came out last week digitally). The album seems to be the bands most polarizing album so far. I have given the album a decent amount of listens and I can honestly say I am enjoying it very much. I have always been a fan of epic concept albums, and The Decemberists have delivered just that!
The prelude is a very cool opening, would be perfect to play right as your walking into the venue about to see Colin Meloy and the rest of The Decemberists to perform this super rock opera for you! “The Hazords Of Love 1″ sounds like the Decemberists we all know. The song almost helps remind us of the old, before we jump into the new. From then on we are thrown into songs with harder plucking, and more dramatic riffs. You got guest vocals on some of this songs adding another dimension to these songs. “The Rake’s Song” absolutely kills, that is everything you want in a Decemberists song and more! Check out the guitars and solos in “The Queen’s Rebuke / The Crossing”, really dark stuff. I love it! The songs weave in and out of each other, almost sounding like one continuous song. It is a proper way to listen to an album, something that has died out recently.
Many people are calling this album The Decemberists worst to date. I think it is too early to judge. Honestly this is a very different album for the band. I feel like to truly appreciate this album you need to constantly listen to it, absorb the story, and try to get used to their “harder/progressive” sound. There is plenty of The Decemberists of old to help you get through the transition. Although there are more metal influences here than you would expect, the Decemberists root sound has not gone anywhere.
After giving the album a proper amount of listens I can say that I am enjoying it. I don’t know where it stands on rating/ranking with other Decemberists albums or in 2009 for that matter. I do appreciate that the Decemberists ambition is still high. The lyrics are still unique and provide storytelling that you can only hope to get from The Decemberists. Especially since the band is signed to a major label it comforts me to see the band doing what they want to do. Taking a risk, and in my opinion it paid off. I am only one blog but I hope the rest of you guys keep giving this album a chance and make your own opinion on it.
[mp3] : The Decemberists – The Wanting Comes In Waves/Repaid
[mp3] : The Decemberists – The Rake’s Song
To those of you who still head record shops and purchase CDs on Tuesdays I applaud you. It seems like almost no one buys them anymore. Damn shame. Anyway I figured I would do a Tuesday feature on what releases look interesting on Tuesdays. They won’t neccesarily be albums that I think will be good but rather be the releases that I think everyone should know about. Maybe it will remind you to check something out or enlighten you on a cool new album.
This week is a pretty busy day for releases. Got a lot of big indie names. Lets get started eh?
March 24th, 2009:
1990′s – Kicks
A new album from the fun rock group from Glasgow that has a pretty appropriate album title. Their brand of rock gives you images of them kicking just like the other Glasgow rockers Franz Ferdinand.
[mp3] : 1990′s – The Box
Amadou & Mariam – Welcome To Mali
- The critically acclaimed album from the blind Mali couple was released elsewhere last year. The US finally gets the album today. I still have to check this out. The only song I heard is “Sabali” and it is outstanding.
[mp3] : Amadou & Mariam – Sabali
Dan Deacon – Bromst
Dan Deacon’s new album “Bromst” got the best new music tag from the good ol’ pitchy. I have heard the album once and it is another album full of fun electronic beats that only Dan could make. Check it out. Here is a highlight off the track:
[mp3] : Dan Deacon – Snookered
The Decemberists – The Hazards Of Love
The Decemberists are back, but it may not be quite the same sounding Decemberists that you remember making “The Engine Driver”. The band has a harder sound going on this time around, almost sounding metal at some points! This album is going to get polarizing opinions from fans/critics but I can say that I think it is a pretty powerful work. The Decemberists never let people down. Why start now?
[mp3] : The Decemberists – The Hazards Of Love 2 (Wager All)
DOOM – Born Like This
This album came out pretty quietly if you ask me. I only read about it a few times on blogs and didn’t even realize it came out today. Anything from Doom is pretty much top notch so I’d say this is a worthy listen!
[mp3] : DOOM – Rap Ambush
Fever Ray – Fever Ray
Fever Ray is Karin Dreijer Andersson, who is one half of the awesome band The Knife. I have not gotten around to listening to this yet but I have read pretty positive things. It is supposed to be a lot of sad/lonely of an electronic album than we are used to getting from The Knife. My guess is to put this album on late at night when your in a sadder mood. Tell me how that goes!
[mp3] : Fever Ray – When I Grow Up
Harlem Shakes – Technicolor Health
Harlem Shakes debut album “Technicolor Health” is pretty much the perfect spring/summer album. It is upbeat, catchy, fun, and most of all has all the replay value in the world. This is one of the best of 2009 so far, grab a copy!
[mp3] : Harlem Shakes – Strictly Game
Mastodon – Crack The Skye
The new one from Mastodon is called “Crack The Skye”. I have not given them a listen yet but everyone keeps raving them as the best american metal band today. I’d say they deserve a listen!
[mp3] : Mastodon – Crack The Skye
Pete Doherty – Grace/Wastelands
Pete Doherty is off the drugs and released a solo album. Good for him! I’ve heard bits and pieces and I believe it is a lot better than what critics are saying/anticipated. Give the boy a second chance!
[mp3] : Pete Doherty – New Love Grows On Trees
Röyksopp – Junior
I’ve only read great things about Norway’s Röyksopp. The electronic duo’s new album is out and making a pretty big splash on blogs. I am halfway through the album and really enjoying it. Everyone is saying their older releases are better so if anything I got more cool electronic tunes to look forward to!
[mp3] : Röyksopp – Happy Up Here
Swan Lake – Enemy Mine
Most of you guys know that I love Wolf Parade. You may be surprised that I haven’t dug my teeth into Swan Lake yet. It is the supergroup of the very busy Spencer Krug (Wolf Parade), Dan Bejar (New Pornographers/Destroyer) and Carey Mercer (Frog Eyes).
[mp3] : Swan Lake – Spanish Gold, 2044
My buddy Luis from Pretty Much Amazing meant to start his Arctic Monkeys B-Side & Rarities Project a while ago, but never got around to it. We all know that he was really just waiting for me to arrive! Why? Well….it is pretty well known that Arctic Monkeys are my favorite band by far, So Luis asked me to help him with the project, and I couldn’t be more excited to get this bad boy rolling.
The point of the project is to document everything that the best current band in the UK has done. Similar to Oasis, the boys have put out amazing b-sides to compliment their ep’s and singles. They have done great covers from The Strokes to Amy Winehouse. They have put out a hell of a lot of material in their career already, so I will help catch you guys up. To me they may just be the most important current band playing today. They are one of the biggest bands in the UK today, they have got great critical acclaim everywhere and they are still young! With every release the band demonstartes growth. Alex Turner’s lyrics as creative as they come. Have you seen them live? They put on a live performance that you will always remem ber.
The posts will all take place at his site, but I will update you guys whenever I make one. This will be a big project taking up a good amount of time. I got tons of stuff for you guys. You may have heard some of them, and there may be a few that you have never seen before. Either way I promise you that this project will remain entertaining. The Arctic Monkeys may just become your favorite band after this is all said and done. Get your Arctic fix!
[mp3] : Arctic Monkeys – Choo Choo (Demo)
I got a brand new track from The Doves new album “Kingdom Of Rust”. It is the song “Compulsion” this time. Previously I gave you guys “Jetstream” and the self titled track “Kingdom Of Rust”. This 3rd track is based on a funky bassline and crooning vocals. This style reminded me of some My Morning Jacket. The song does have traces of early Doves but there is something about the song that really makes me feel like the band is trying to sound different.
Listen for yourself, and decide:
[mp3] : Doves – Compulsion
The Horrors got hyped to the skies and beyond when they released their great debut album “Strange House”. I feel as though their dark appearance caused people to judge them way too early. Oh well it’s their loss now isn’t it?
Well 2 years later and here we are. The band has just put up a video for their new song “Sea Within A Sea” on their website and I am blown away! It totally exceded my expectations. It is still dark but it does not have the garage rock feel that their last album had. I really got a Joy Division feel as well as an electronic/dance vibe from the song. It is 8 minutes long but I felt every minute was used effectively.
The song will be on their new album titled “Primary Colours” scheduled to come out May 4th. Geoff Barrow, of Portishead produced the album. After this really cool single my interest in The Horrors just went way, way up.
[mp3] : The Horrors – Sea Within a Sea
Watch the video below:
Yeah two Vampire Weekend posts in a row, a little bit OD. You may not like that but then again it is my blog! Anyway last week the band debuted a brand new song “Cousins” at their show in Guadalajara, Mexico. The song is bursting with energy! Maybe that is where all the energy from White Sky went! It looks like a really fun song, especially to see live! So far they are still chugging out some great material even after the album. Watch the video below, and grab a mp3 rip of the performance:
[mp3] : Vampire Weekend – Cousins (Live in Mexico)
Here is a great high-def video of Vampire Weekends performance of White Sky on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. They had a full blown string section with them along with another backing group of musians playing various instruments. The band really slowed the song down for this performance, it isn’t as jumpy and poppy as they have played it at live shows. It is still a great performance, Ezra’s voice sounded great! I really like the guitars on this too, nice and simple.
Ezra also said that the 2nd album (which will have White Sky) is hopefully going to be out this fall! Sa-weet.
Here’s a mp3 of the performance:
[mp3] : Vampire Weekend – White Sky (Live on Jimmy Fallon)
Japandroids have been around since 2006. The band consists of Brian King and David Prowse. They are one guitar, 1 set of drums, and 2 vocalizers. They have released two EP’s already. Their debut album “POST-NOTHING” is coming out April 28th and they were going to release it themelves but decided to release it on Unfamilar Records instead.
To best describe their music, I would say close your eyes imagine yourself with your friends in an overcrowded garage. In the middle of this garage are the band putting down some great garage rock tunes. The sound is raw, aggressive, and real. This is Japandroids.
[mp3] : Japandroids – Young Hearts Spark Fire
Check out the rest of their songs at their myspace. They are badass!
