I'm not young enough for love anymore

Wow, it's been a while since a post. Especially from me. So let's get one rolling.

From the jolt and rush of synthesized electronic strings to the hushed, emotive voice of lead singer Anna Persson, the first 25 seconds alone of "Subtle Changes" by Sambassadeur has solidified it's place as one of the best songs of the year. This up-tempo number swells and drives with bombastic glee, accented by a lush arrangement of strings and electronic thumps. The lyrics ache and toil, and while being backed by such a cinematic arrangement, some may be overwhelmed by the production at hand. It's that sweet. Do yourself a favor and check out the entire album "Migration". It's on one of those hyped-up Swedish labels or something.


Subtle Changes

Parades.

So I know a couple of weeks ago I posted about how it seems that Denmark has incredible bands oozing out of its pores, so today as a testament to that statement I present to you all Efterklang. The symphonic sounds they create are simply incredible and never quite go where you want them. Their songs are filled with tiny electronic snippets, strings, horns and beautiful vocals. Their new album Parades is out now in the UK and is available online, and will soon be available in the States. The bits that I've heard are simply breathtaking. Here is a video of the group performing the lead single from the new album "Mirador":


and the wonderfully animated music video for the same song:

Open up your eyeballs wide.

So, I know it has been all of two days since I last posted about my newfound fav Ben Burroughs, but Ben just updated his myspace with four tracks from his forthcoming LP This Is the End. So I figured I could excuse myself with a little blogger indulgence. The songs are exceptional, but as LeVar Burton would say, you don't have to take my word for it...

And God said...

let there be videos of Bruce Springsteen and Arcade Fire

Bruce Stringsteen and Arcade Fire - State trooper
Uploaded by trendwhore

Bruce Stringsteen and Arcade Fire - Keep the car running
Uploaded by trendwhore

...and he saw that they were good.

This must be the place.

So far, no videos have surfaced of what was surely a mind-blowing collaborative performance by Bruce Springsteen and Arcade Fire. Hopefully one does, but until then here is a video of Arcade Fire covering the Talking Heads classic "This Must Be the Place."

Lets run in circles.

There are words that I absolutely refuse to take lightly. For me, the words "genius" and "masterpiece" aren't ones that I typically dole out on any old artist or album. So when I say that I have been listening to Ben Burroughs pretty much non-stop for the past two days and that he is a genius songwriter and has created several masterpiece albums full of beauty and depth, I mean it from the bottom of my heart. Here's a review one of my friends wrote for his first album entitled Sugarbush:


"In April of 2005, in a basement somewhere in Cincinnati, Ohio Ben Burroughs finished recording what would be the first of many notches in his proverbial record release belt over the next couple of years. Titled Sugarbush, it is the story of a family living with, and without, a father, and also husband who has let them down in a big way. Inspired heavily by 60s pop, and 70s folk, as well as current DIY artists such as Phil Elverum and Adrian Orange, Ben recorded Sugarbush in it’s entirety by himself, in his mother’s basement, without any cymbals on his drum kit (a tidbit gone unnoticed until he actually revealed it to me himself.) Wispy guitar noodlings are the first thing we hear on the opening track “As a Film,“ but only for a brief forty-four seconds before being blasted by drowning guitars and a sweeping synth hook that even Kevin Shields would envy, when the albums second track, “Can’t Seem To Stop" actually kicks in. These muffled, death grind guitars sneak their ways into other tracks such as “Meet Me in the Air,” where you don’t even see them coming. Songs, “Sweet Memories,” and “Escape Talk,” are easy listeners, and impressive instrumentally, which ends up being the common thread that holds Sugarbush together. The standout track is found towards the end, titled “Leaving Today.” Charming the listener right away with a haunting waltz worthy of a party in Edward Scissorhands’ courtyard. Ending everything on a relatively melodramatic note, “Remember” gets you thinking: “What if Pink Floyd had written The Wall with only Casio keyboards on hand?” Even if Mr. Burroughs had had a full band of musicians helping him orchestrate every song and nuance on Sugarbush, I’m convinced it couldn't sound any better. Sugarbush is definately a sweet treasure and worth the time."
-Joey Cook, 2007


I would whole-heartedly agree.

Here are two tracks from Sugarbush:
Leaving Today
Sweet Memories

...and two more from Into the Lake:
Treasure City
It's About Time

I wrote about the band Enlou a while back and said that I would post a track from their forthcoming EP the closer it came to being available. Well I cant hold out any longer. Here is a track from their soon to be released EP Passing Islands.

Enlou-Little Owl

The boys also have some live dates, so be sure to check them out:
Oct 20 Fairgrounds Celina, OH
Oct 21 Molly Malones Covington, KY
Oct 26 The Forge Dayton, OH
Jan 18 Stillwater Dayton, OH

Sailing through rainbows.

I'm sure I will add little to the ever ubiquitous discussion on the internet about Radiohead's new album In Rainbows. What can be said that has not been said already?

However after listening to the album about six times through I am thoroughly enjoying it. I will say that I was worried after hearing all the live tracks and videos floating around, and nothing (except the original video of Arpeggi) caught my ear. But as uncanny as it may seem, Radiohead continues to release excellent albums one after the other and all my fears have since been quelled. To me it seems that this is a more settled and peaceful Radiohead, or about as much as we could ever expect from the boys.

When the musical world was riding high on optimism during the dot-com bubble that was soon to burst in the late 90's, they released the dark and dreary masterpiece OK Computer, that is almost more pertinent today than when it was released. Now, some ten years later it seems as though the current culture of war and fear has taken its toll on artists and there is an indecipherable tension in artists albums from The Polyphonic Spree to Arcade Fire. But Radiohead have always peered into the future. Let us hope that what they see is as beautiful and as peaceful, as a rainbow is after the storm.

The wait is over...

Before heading off to work this morning I checked my inbox and sure enough, there it was. In rainbows.

I was just starting high school the last time a Radiohead album was released.

Welcome to the beginning of the end. I can't wait to listen.

You can go home.

I am not even going to attempt to write about what is turning out to be the biggest news in the the music industry at the moment, but if by some chance you have not heard about Radiohead's new album, you can read about it here.

Otherwise...



There are experimental bands, and there are pop bands. Sometimes they are mushed together and make super-band-gravy. Chin Up Chin Up are a band from Chicago that fit the aforementioned description well and they also write songs that feel as if they've been with me all of my life. Kind of like a psychedelically colored blanket that your aunt made you when you were little that you loved, then lost. Lo and behold years later when you discover that oddly colored blanket again you delightfully regain some odd childish part of you that was always there but you had somehow forgotten about. A bit like that.
Lead singer Jeremy Bolen's voice is a bit raspy, soulful and delightfully off kilter and often he is backed by the rest of the band in mantra like sing-alongs. The lyrics and song titles are always clever and witty which is sometimes how their music sounds. Sometimes. The guitars and keyboard parts shift and stutter into each other but always groove and are always fun.

Here is a song from their most recent album, This Harness Can't Ride Anything and one from We Should Never Have Lived Like We Were Skyskrapers.

Chin Up Chin Up-This Harness Can't Ride Anything
Chin Up Chin Up-Why is My Sleeping Bag A Ghetto Muppet

Forever turned out to be too long.

There must be something special in the water over in Denmark. For such a small place, it seems that every time I turn around there is another incredible band popping its young head up on Denmark's shores. The Kissaway Trail is no different. Formerly known as Isles, this five piece from Odense is a group to keep an eye on. Their debut self-titled album was released early this year in Europe through Bella Union, and is currently only available as an import. Their sound inhabits the crossroads where hope and beauty meet, and they have crafted an album that will undoubtedly lift hearts and turn heads.

The Kissaway Trail-La La Song
The Kissaway Trail-It's Close Up Far Away

Ba La Na (and Da and Ya)

Well, I have finally done it. The End of Summer BaLaNa compilation that I have promised you readers is finally here. It proved to be more of a laborious undertaking than I originally thought, but in the end it just made it that much more enjoyable to listen to an hour plus of songs with made up words in them. You can download a zip file of the entire compilation from megaupload, and enjoy it as an ode to the preceding season. Bring on the scarf weather.


Also, I thought that a stuffed-animal riding a sailboat was a pretty good way to say "bon voyage" to summer. Just so you know.


The tracks:

1.La La Song-The Kissaway Trail
2.Ya Ya-Lee Dorsey
3.Breathing Rapture-Le Loup
4.The Rebecca Fantasy-The Polyphonic Spree
5.La Breeze-Simian
6.Head Over Heels-Tears For Fears
7.Can't Get You Out of My Head-Kylie Minogue
8.Don't You (Forget About Me)-Simple Minds
9.You Can Have It All-Yo La Tengo
10.Howling At The Moon (Sha-La-La)-The Ramones
11.Cherry Chapstick-Yo La Tengo
12.Time Wont Let Me Go-The Bravery
13.Falling-Ben Kweller
14.Recycled Air-The Postal Service
15.Too Many Pictures-The Sheds
16.Picture Book-The Kinks
17.Nowhere Man-The Beatles
18.Tom Courtenay-Yo La Tengo
19.Bruised-Ben Folds
20.Section 1 (Have A Day/Celebratory)-The Polyphonic Spree
21.A Long December-Counting Crows
22.The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down-The Band
23.Ooh La La-The Faces

The glitter of possibilities

Anathallo is perhaps one of my favorite bands of all time. They hold a very special place in my heart that I think will never be filled by another band just as there aren't really any other bands that sound like them. I have not listened to them in a while but this past week have been on a kick, and seeing as how they are currently in the studio recording a follow up to Floating World, I thought I'd share a couple of goodies. First, here's a nice video them covering The Books' song "Smells Like Content" from their tour about two years ago. Hopefully this song gets recorded at some point in the time space continuum, but until then this video is a nice representation of both the song (which probably has the best lyrics of any song I've ever heard) and Anathallo's unique interpretation.

Here is a new song called Noni's Field

Another new one called Northern Lights

Also, if you have not done so already, you can check out Anathallo's very own blog, Your Happy Makes Me Go Oldies, which is part information, part nonsensical writing and part YouTube video hound.

Roses for you.

So I have been sitting on this one for a while but really wanted to share it with you all because I was reminded yesterday of what peacefully beautiful music it is. Miracle Fortress is the doings of Graham Van Pelt, a Montreal based fellow who is incidentally one of the members in the dance-fuzz three piece Think About Life. Van Pelt's songs are sweet and syrupy but still retain a type of grit to them with little McCartney-esque touches. The production work is trippy, swirly and simply outstanding, especially when you consider it was all handled by Van Pelt himself. A fantastic listen all the way through, especially when enjoyed with some sun or good friends. These tracks are from his most recent album Five Roses.

Miracle Fortress-Maybe Lately
Miracle Fortress-Blasphemy

End of Summer "BaLaNaDa" Compilation!

That's right folks. Tomorrow is the first day of September, and in my books it is officially Autumn. Goodbye to long sunny days, iced tea and long nights out under the stars. But say hello to pretty leaves, bonfires and toasted marshmallows. I for one am excited to wear my big green flannel jacket again. So, to celebrate the end of the summer I am working on a compilation of songs that have the words "Ba", "La", "Na", and "Da" in them. I would like for any readers out there that have suggestions to please email me or comment on this entry. Perhaps at the end whoever has the most (legitimate) suggestions will earn themselves a prize. Anyways, here are the rules:

1. Song must have one of the aforementioned words in it (Ba, La, Na or Da)
2. Word must be repeated more than once
3. Song must be in English (just for judging consistency)

Have fun and I will post the entire compilation on here when it is done. Enjoy the Fall, adios Summer!

The Polyphonice Spree-The Rebecca Fantasy

Visit me in my mountain home.

Chicago's Baby Teeth are quite the conundrum to try to describe or classify. I think the closest that I can come up with to paint a picture of their sound would be a a giant rock-n-roll-grilled-cheese-sandwhich, and I mean that in the most endearing way possible. They keep it grooving with some of the most rockin' bass lines available for your speakers and they don't shy away from songwriting tools that would make mere pop bands cringe, like unashamedly dramatic string lines and lyrics like, "Visit me in my mountain home/ impossible to find." Their new album, The Simp is available now and it is the perfect thing to toss on the next time you feel like shakin' it and/or wearing polyester.


Baby Teeth-Prove It on the Stage
Baby Teeth-Looking for a Road

Thou Shalt Listen Too...8-28-07

The Amazing Pilots-I've Got Wings Irene
A great song from a great album that kind of got lost in the shuffle. A lot of my friends have recently gone back to school so a song about leaving is kind of appropriate. (buy)
















Nic Bommarito-Once a Freak Always a Freak
Nic is somewhat of a renaissance man. He is a world traveling philosopher that also has time to record albums and draw...and blog about it all. This song from his Taciturn album is a nice and relaxed number. The string parts are absolutely magical. The best part is that this album is free to download over at 12rec!














Lee Dorsey-Ride Your Pony
This ex-boxer turned soul singer put out some classic grooves. This song has a guitar lick that just won't quit and the gunshot sound effects in the middle make this song a keeper. (buy)

Do yourself a favor...

Watch the trailer for Sigur Ros' upcoming film Heima. The trailer alone enough get the tears of joy flowing. Seeing the live clips reminded me once again of what an unparalleled experience it is to see them live.

Dynamo!

So I am good friends with a nice bunch of boys in a band that go by the name Enlou. This nice bunch of boys just went and recorded some songs at the lovely Lunchington Studios and I must say they sound great. To my knowledge the EP, which is tentatively titled The Year We Grew Our Faces is the first proper recording that the band has had and it sounds absolutely fantastic. Their sound is awash in effected guitars and reverb but still urgent and forceful enough to not get lost out in space. There is also a groovy dance able element thrown in there too between what's reminiscent of Colour Revolt and the more recent Brand New. I have heard three of the five songs that will be on their forthcoming EP and they are all superb, enchanting and extremely catchy. Oh yeah, did I forget to mention that poised as they are to release what will undoubtedly be one of the best releases this year, not a single one of them is out of high school? Many bands twice their age don't even come close to their level of songwriting maturity and the uniqueness of their sound. I'll post a song here closer to the release date but for now you can preview one of the songs, "Mossu", at their myspace page. Utterly beautiful.

Coming back here.

Well, I cannot lie. I am in a band and the reason that I have not updated in the past couple of weeks is because I was actually on the road for our first tour and recording a full length album. The trip was incredible and I got to see a good portion of the east coast. Right now I'm in the process of settling back into the groove at home which includes updating this thing. I have lots of exciting bands to share in the coming weeks so be ready.

Isaac

ps. Here's a song from one of my favorites about coming home.

Engineers-Home

Oh, China Gate

While Mr. Isaac is away gallivanting around the countryside, I figured I should keep this blog afloat with some sweet tunes. My latest kick has been the ever-impressive yet criminally-overlooked post-rock/math-rock pioneers Cul de Sac. This is the kind of band that needed no gimmick or easily accessible hook to lure in listeners. This fierce attachment to sporadic, experimental ideas has made them an extremely rewarding listen for those willing to pay attention to what they're doing. This excerpt from their album "China Gate" does just that - the subtle nature of the music is inviting, but doesn't encroach on the listener. The alluring atmosphere it creates takes you over once you give in, and it literally floored me by the end of my first listen. Fans of krautrock, post-rock, math-rock, and even psychedelic will feel at home with the buzzing blur and serene rhythm created, as the guitars sweep and swoon with a distinct crunch that somehow maintains a melodic feel. as the drums plod onward in almost tribal fashion. The approach is cerebral and intentional, but feels "strung-out" enough to warrant an almost "trippy, jam band" identifier. Yet another gem hidden from public view in the 90s, and hopefully this band isn't through creating these brooding, powerful instrumental masterpieces.

Cul de Sac - Doldrums

All in all.

Hello everyone. I would first like to apologize here and now for my lack of posts and to be my own advocate for a moment say that I have been busy planning a three week trip around the country and consequently quiting my job for the past few weeks, so posting has been kind of on the back burner. I will officially be back from my trip about mid-August, but until then might I suggest checking out avant hip-hop/lo-fi/Bible-spewing Soul-Junk's website/blog. If you are not familiar with what is primarily Glen "Galaxy" Galloway's musical monster check out this fairly recent interview. His blog portion is updated daily with either a spiritual musing, a piece of art or a song. A good majority of the songs posted incidentally happen to be from Galloway's newest Soul-Junk outing of recording the entire Bible. That's right. The ENTIRE Bible over choppy, psychedelic, hip-hop awesomeness. Could it get any better? I think that tops even the James Earl Jones version. The first installment is 1959 and is out now on Quiver Society. Well worth your time. I will leave you with cuts from 1958 and 1956 albums.

Soul-Junk-How We Flow
Soul-Junk-Brougham

Wipe your eyes.

So somehow last year I managed to miss what would have easily been one of my favorite albums of all of 2006, but am enjoying Embrace's This New Day immensely in 2007 anyhow. The last I had heard of them before this they had released Out of Nothing but then kind of went off of my radar for a while and sneaked a new album in on me. Lead singer Danny McNamara has recently opened a new club, so I'm not sure how big a of a priority the band is or if they will record another album (which I hope they do), but if not they could not have ended on a better note. The songs absolutely soar. Some of the most uplifting music I have ever heard.

Embrace-No Use Crying
Embrace-Target

Teenager

Everybody's favorite lads from Ireland via the OC (sountrack) are back for another round with a new album called Teenager, which is almost a bit funny considering their popularity on Hollister sound systems and prime-time TV melodramas. This album could not have come at a more perfect time for me than the middle of summer. The hooks are big and sunny and the lyrics do well in articulating that odd stage in life between childhood and adulthood for which the album is named. The album as a whole carries a sweet smell of optimism and when I hear lyrics like, "This year could be our year," I can't help but feel a little younger.

The Thrills-This Year
The Thrills-Nothing Changes Round Here

Songs for heart-break

Oh it's that time again, when love bites and your summer fling is all over, leaving you with a bunch of unrequited emotions. Well maybe that's just me...but still, today for this post we are going to explore some little ditties to relax ya when the times could be better.



Ida - Back Burner
This is a favorite of mine for when the times lack their luster and the flowers seem to droop. This song is sad enough to make a random passersby on the street break out into tears are the mere sense of the vibrations from your headphones. But don't let it get you down, for the pretty little finish with the soaring vocals is uplifting enough (despite the cold as ice lyrics.)


Codeine - New Year's
Clever imagery, eh? What can I say, I'm a biology major. But let's stay on task. Codeine has this almost supernatural way of capturing dreariness...I don't know how they do it, but this plodding tune is sure to bend some hearts back into position with it's restless, down-cast demeanor.



Gregor Samsa - These Points Balance
This soothing ode is a guaranteed winner if your hopes are sagging a bit. Just get yourself lost in the tranquil melody of one of those ever-lovely co-ed vocal duos backed by the blissful hum of a restrained, yet dreamy collage of instrumentation. Nothing takes you off guard, no big climax to unsettle your nap. Just serene from start to finish.

You were the rockets and the glow.

Happy Independence Day!

The Incredible Moses Leroy-The Fourth of July
The Violet Burning-Gorgeous

This is Animal Music

I could describe Tallahassee's Look Mexico in a number of different ways. I could say that they are like a more uppity and energetic American Football. I could describe their guitar parts as being angular and melodic, a bit like Minus the Bear. I could go hopping off the walls and say they somehow remind me of The Marshall Tucker band with the way their songs feel like they were all slowly deep-fried and put onto a paper plate with a big hunk of watermelon. But the truth is that they are all of these things and none of these things all at once. They encompass a unique arena of southern-gentleman indie rock that is all their own. They also happen to be purveyors of fine cutoff shorts, most noticable when they play live. Their new album released on Lujo Records entitled This is Animal Music is quite the tasty surprise. Great music for the middle of summer and the aforementioned paper plates and watermelons.

Look Mexico-Done and Done
Look Mexico-You Ever Get Punched In The Face For Talking Too Much?

X Marks the Spot

I have been mildly addicted to the song "X Marks the Spot", from Brooklyn outfit Taxi Taxi. The production is delightfully understated and it has an awesome, "walk-in-the-rain"type groove. The twirling synth sounds in the backround absolutely tickle my ears every time I hear them chime in. Their album, Maps and Legends, is now available on itunes so check them out because they are well worth flagging down.


Taxi Taxi-X Marks the Spot

another gem...

Taxi Taxi-Anna

Michael, the Lone Archer from the North Shore

I had the chance to see the one-man extravaganza Deastro a week ago and, quite frankly, my mind was blown. Randy Chabot handles all instruments and crafts what kind of sounds like a more danceable, lo-fi version of M83, but with a lot more Nintendo influences. Something that must be heard for yourself. Live, it is one of the most fun, intense and breathtaking of times I've had in a while.

These songs come from his We Will Never Waver Quiverstar album, but in talking to him after the show he said there is a double disc album in the works for later this year that will be much higher quality, as these were recorded using merely a four-track. I am anxiously awaiting it.

Deastro-The Green Harbor
Deastro-The Gallery Gods

So here we go, like some poetic imagery or something

Hello world, I am a new writer for this blog. I see Isaac already made a stellar post today, but what the heck, here's a post from me too.

Coming out of virtually nowhere, this Danish collective called Lis Er Stille has made some music that makes us all scratch our heads wondering why someone hasn't done this before. These guys throw all possible tricks into a song and have it twist and turn and rise and fall and essentially carry itself like a musical roller-coaster. The results are mystifying and gigantic, with these larger-than-life rock epics barrelling forward at the speed of a bus with broken brakes...so you don't know exactly where it's going to go, but you know the end will involve explosions, so that's a good reason to keep watching. So here are two selections, one from each of their albums.

Lis Er Stille - Lorelei
Lis Er Stille - End Credits (End of the Tracks)

Thou Shalt Listen Too...July, 17th 2007

Idaho-Down in the Waves
A gorgeous meditation on taking risks and jumping into the water, which is perfect for the beginning of that time of year in which diving into a cold swimming pool sounds enticing. (buy)




The Incredible Moses Leroy-The Color of Sky
The other morning I had been up all night and the first hints of mornign were beginning to appear outside. I decided that I might as well bite the bullet and watch the sunrise since I could not remember the last time that I had done so. Afterwards I was convinced of two things: a) the goodness of God, and b) that I needed to listen to this song again. (buy)




Red House Painters-Summer Dress
One of my favorite bands/artists of all time. Makes me think of summer dresses even more fondly when I remember this song. (buy)



*ps.*

Everyone please welcome my good friend David aboard the AGRUE boat. He will become a co-author here so you should be hearing from him in the near future!

Tell the truth to me baby.

So I don't keep up on Liars for a while and they go and record a new album. It's due out this August and musically it is a bit closer to early Liars mixed with the ethereal beauty of Drum's Not Dead all slathered in the ruckus of They Were Wrong So We Drowned. Some parts even sound a little like the newly reunited Jesus and Mary Chain. Should be a pretty killer album.


Liars-Plaster Casts of Everything

National Dairy/ Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month

I have officially been a vegetarian for four and a half years now and I still love every minute of it. I am what is technically called a "lacto-ovo" vegetarian, which mean I still enjoy the occasional cheese or eggs, which is the casm that seperates me from total veganism. So, needless to say, this month was made for me. There is almost nothing I love more than a fresh slice of pineapple or a nice pasta salad with some delicious feta cheese. Mmmmmm.
Head on out to a farmer's market today and enjoy these songs as you bite into a nice apple or have a midnight snack later with some (soy) milk and cookies.


The Church-Under the Milky Way
The Danielson Famile-Fathom Nine Fruits Pie

Flex your love muscles.

When I saw Daniel Johnston a few weeks ago I also had the unexpected joy of seeing the ever lovable Matthew Shelton bring his oddly sweet folk songs to a hot, but appreciative, capacity crowd. I should admit before going any further that I have a bit of a biased opinion here, seeing as how Shelton is from my hometown, but he just self-released his debut album Cold Water, Hot Blood this year, and it is always nice to see a hometown boy done good. His music is a kind of meandering folk that takes its time, unfolds and is slowly fleshed out with violins, cellos and flutes. Shelton has a subtle baritone that possesses a strange sense of passion that is more Marvin Gaye than Nick Drake, especially since a lot of his lyrics can get pretty steamy, but in the end Shelton's delivery and sense of maturity balance out the arousal with ackwardness and make it impossible not to fall in love with him and his songs. Like sitting by a lazy river with the one you love.


From Cold Water, Hot Blood:

Matthew Shelton-Sick of Your Body
Matthew Shelton-Tatooed Eyelid

Thou shalt listen too....July, 4th, 2007

"Thou shalt listen too..." will be a new feature on AGRUE where I share a couple of songs that I have been enjoying at the moment for your enjoyment in a few moments.




1. Ester Drang-One Hundred Times
Gorgeous music from these Oklahoma natives suitable for night-time drives or naps under trees. Also, if you EVER get the chance to see them live do so. Absolutely breathtaking. (buy)




2. Aloha-Summer Lawn
One of my favorite Aloha songs ever and because it's the start of summer. The piano hook in the beginning of the song is so undeniable it will beat down your front door. (buy)




1. The Polyphonic Spree-Move Away and Shine
They have a new album and this is the quite possibly the most perfect song for graduates. (buy)

You must be an illusion.

Well, I must confess I have never been a huge Minus the Bear fan, but there are songs of theirs that I thoroughly enjoy so I decided to give their newest album Planet of Ice a listen. The only comparable way I feel I can describe it is when someone stands on a high dive and attempts a back flip. Sometimes they stick it and land feet first and everyone is amazed; sometimes they land squarely on their belly and all close enough to see/hear the spectacle wince. Either way you have to hand it to the person for having the balls to try. On Minus the Bear's new album , I applaud them for taking risks and not recording the same album four times in a row, but it is not entirely spectacular. The album fits somewhere between a belly-flop and a 10 point, jaw-dropping, double gainer. Sonically the group sounds much more mature and developed which is reflected in the mood of the album and the brevity of the song titles, compared to songs in their back catalog such as, "You're Some Sort of Big, Fat, Smart-Bug, Aren't You?" and "This Ain't A Surfin' Movie", "Knights" is a lot fewer syllables. The sound itself could be summed up in a simple equation:

the moodiness of Radiohead's Kid A + funk - the danciness of old Minus the Bear = Planet of Ice

Here's one of the standout tracks:

Minus the Bear-When We Escape

Buzzzz, buzzzz, buzzzz.

Nick Cave's new project Grinderman is one tough, feedback-chip cookie. But it sure is sweet. Their debut album is shaping up to be one of my favorite releases of 2007. If the songs themselves don't convince you that Cave and the boys can still rock after all these years then the abundace of facial hair on stage should.

Gentlemen on the rocks.

Barreling out of Omaha, Nebraska, brace yourselves for Coyote Bones. Delivering a brand of chill and mellow whiskey drenched tunes for your next party but also handy for cheering you up as you clean house/remove stains afterwards. They remind me a bit of Annuals, but perhaps that's just the "confetti-beer-and-acoustic-guitar" vibe that exudes forth from their songs. Either way, their album is grossly catchy and on sale now at Coco Art.


Coyote Bones-39 Forever
Coyote Bones-Lightwieghts Drinking

Happy Happy, Joy Joy.

If there is one thing I am a sucker for it is a big, gnarly post-rock song. Lately it seems that the genre has been getting a teeny bit crowded and it is becoming a little more of a challenge to find artists that are truly striving for their own sound. Joy Wants Eternity is a five-piece from Seattle, Washinton that eschews bass and opts for guitars, Rhodes piano and drums. The song posted here is from their new album due out May 22 entitled You Who Pretend to Sleep. It captures the very essence of all that I love about the post-rock sound. Spacious and epic with moments that make you want to cry and/or watch a thousand sunsets in a row. The wall of distortion and huge guitars are there but the drums are what set this song apart. They push and pull the song towards its peaks and valleys but they remain sparse and calculated leaving a sort of methodical hole in the middle of the song--and it sounds great.

Joy Wants Eternity-Above the Clouds Lies Eternal Sun

Daniel Johnston @ the Southgate House

I was fortunate enough to see the legendary songwriter Daniel Johnston perform a week or so ago, and now I feel my life is complete. I had heard of him many times but it has been only within the past year or so that I have listened to his music and subsequently seen the documentary film about his life, The Devil and Daniel Johnston. The more I've listened to his songs the more I have grown to love them. I wasn't quite sure what to expect going to see him live other than this could quite possibly be the last chance I get to see a living legend. Johnston began by slowly coming out on stage with his guitar strapped on his shoulder and a small binder in one hand that serves as one of his many songbooks. He proceeded to play four songs by himself that did justice to the feeling of most of his recordings: rough around the edges, short and straight to the heart. In such a large setting and in front of several hundred eager listeners Johnston did not fail to captivate with no other accompaniment than a small nylon-string guitar and his songs.

After this, Johnston put aside his guitar and took on the lead singer role while a host of local musicians came on stage to act as Johnston's backing band for the remainder of the evening. The songs felt ackward and sloppy and at times felt as if they would almost fall apart, but some of Johnston's early recordings feel this way too, so it wasn't entirely out of place. The band ripped through favorites such as "Speeding Motorcycle", "Life in Vain", and "True Love Will Find You in the End". The most impressive thing the entire evening, in my mind, was the way in which Daniel would gaze at his songbook throughout the entirety of each song. His eyes were so intense and focused as if he was gazing through the joy and pain of his entire life encapsulated in the words that he had written so long ago on one of those sheets kept in that little red notebook. The evening, and Mr. Johnston's songs, will always hold a special place in my heart :)


Some of my all time Daniel Johnston favorites:

Wish
Syrup of Tears

Little tiny voices.

Today, I would like to introduce to you a wonderful and endearing group from the windy city of Chicago, Arwin. They have been around for a little longer than a year and in that time have managed to craft a majestic and spacious sound that is reminiscent of all that is good about 60's pop music and record an EP entitled Bright Outside. Lead singer Neil DeGuia's voice sounds like a more confident, direct and less warbly Wayne Coyne. As a whole, Bright Outside shimmers and sparkles like a lawn in the morning covered in dew, and this EP would be the perfect accompaniment for a picnic on that same lawn later on in the afternoon. The EP's title track starts with a piano and string arrangement that would make Brian Wilson smile, then proceeds into a glorious four and a half minutes of melancholic liquid sunshine that at times is almost reminiscent of a spaghetti western soundtrack. Enjoy this song and be sure to check Arwin out on tour later this summer, too.

Arwin-Bright Outside

The crown of string quartet love.

There comes a time in the course of every bands life when they must decide how, as a group, they define success. It would be safe to say that after Arcade Fire released one of the most critically acclaimed debut albums of the past decade that they could feel pretty accomplished and secure, and rightly so. However, when it rains it pours, and when acclaim and buzz abound you end up with the sometimes undesired side-effects of notoriety and fame. Sometimes this cripples a band paralyzing them from moving forward or backward artiscically. But other times it pushes them in far better directions (think Radiohead's Kid A). Occasionally fans can feel as if the special secret that they shared with a select few friends is no longer private and they accuse said artists of "selling out." But for others they discover their new favorite band or artist through some magazine cover or late-night talk show. Whatever the case may be you can ascertain that you have entered into the lexicon of modern pop culture as a band when one thing happens: a String Quartet Tribute album. When that happens, you have made it and there is nothing you can do about it.

Lucky for us, late-night appearances and magazine covers have not stopped Arcade Fire from doing what they do best, and that is make magestically moving pop songs for the masses, no matter how long you've kept the secret. So lets all be happy and share a secret together.

This track comes from the String Quartet tribute to Arcade Fire's Funeral:

Rebellion (Lies)

To all the moms out there...

To all the mothers out there. You are appreciated. A big round of applause goes out to you.

This is one of the few pictures I have on my computer of my mom and I together and we both look more than a little crazy.

Kaki King-Gay Sons of Lesbian Mothers
No idea why this song is named as such because there are absolutely no lyrics; it's a pretty song with the word "mother" in the title so why not? Happy Mothers Day.

Jackson Pollock listening to Black Sabbath.

So, to sort-of continue with yesterdays post I will talk about another group that has a similar name but totally different sound....

Colour Revolt hails from the state that every kindergartener loves to spell: Mississippi. They have a very driving intense, rock sound but that does not quite do it justice. There is almost a post-blues vibe with sparse piano thrown in and the occasional harmonica courtesy of lead-singer Jesse Copenbarger. They supported Brand New for several weeks last year and are soon to hit the road with them again in about two weeks with friends Anathallo. About half of these shows are already sold out, but they are playing this years Lollapalooza; and they are definately worth the effort to catch live.

Be sure to pick up their CD! About a month ago their van and all their gear was stolen and they are still in the recovery process! Read more about that here.

A New Family

Blueberry.

Everyone loves Japanese pop duos, so today I give you Color Filter. Quite possibly my favorite export from the land of the rising sun since Samurai Pizza Cats. The duo has a peaceful and psychedelic sound that is slightly reminiscent of Juana Molina, perhaps that's because the lyrics of both are whispery female vocals that are in sung in another language. Yuki Nishimura's vocals have a distinct tenderness to them that blends well with Ryuji Tsuneyoshi's ever so delicate and subtle production work and I can tell this will be one of my favorite albums this summer. These two tracks come from their most recent release entitled Blueberry.

Track 1
A North Song

Thaw it out.

Sorry for my scarcity of posts recently. My band has had a lot going on and there has been some absolutely terrible weather in the Ohio region the past month or so. The worst ice storm I have ever seen. Here is some music to warm your hearts and to warm me up for some more regular updates!

American Analog Set-Know By Heart
Now that we are getting into the sunny time of year this is a great sunset song for walks at dusk and daydreaming while watching strawberry coloured clouds. The steady drumwork holds the song together while the swelling guitar line weaves it all into one piece.

Bitcrush-Post
This electronic post-rock outfit crafts some pretty memorable and moving pieces. Here they find the sweet spot between Slowdive and the Morr Music sound to create a heart-sinker that takes you away for nine minutes.

Send you a card.

So today is the day. The day of chocolates and last minute scrambles and roses and kisses and for many a, "What the hell I am lonely and have no valentine...".

Oh well. Here are some (miserable?) love songs.

The Beach Boys-I Was Made to Love Her

From one of their more overlooked post-Pet Sounds albums. Brian Wilson as a croonin' soul singer? It's a keeper.

Beats for Beginners-Summer Lovers
It was fun while it lasted but now it's over. Just like this sunny little pop gem. "I smoked all your cigarettes/ And played with your hair."

Grizzly Bear-Owner of a Lonely Heart
This Yes classic gets redone in a way that will sound very good when you are lying on your floor and not wanting to move after eating that whole box of chocolates that you bought for yourself.

That makes them crazy.

I am still reeling from shock over the Dixie Chicks beating Gnarls Barkley for album of the year at the Grammys last night.

Oh well, time will tell I guess.


The Raconteurs-Crazy (Live)

Superband?

So, like many others, when I heard that Johnny Marr was the new official member of Modest Mouse I thought my head would explode. Instantly a sense of hopeful expectation came over me for the time when I would actually hear what on earth We Were Dead before the Ship Even Sank would actually sound like.

"Dashboard" is quite a danceable little number that has an excellent horn section in the backround that compliments Marr's quirky guitar lines well. I've heard that this song has been getting a lot of radio play, but heaven knows I don't listen to that anymore.

Modest Mouse-Dashboard

Let's all say "no" together.

Hi everyone.

I think i will start this blog off with a track from Softlightes upcoming debut "Say No to Being Cool, Say Yes to Being Happy" slated for a February 13th release. Rumor has it that the band is formed of members of The Incredible Moses Leroy. Whether or not that's true, one thing is for sure: they write some tasty pop songs that make you want to run in fields of daisys and live forever. Almost every track on this album is OC worthy. I would not at all be surprised if they turned out to be the "it" band for 2007.




Softlightes-Leanor and Me