Cold War Kids, definitely one of the better bands and band names of recent years, will be releasing their sophomore album Loyalty to Loyalty on September 23. Fans and fans-to-be should definitely check out their website, which is chock full of new videos and music. They’ve made a low quality version of the song “Something Is Not Right With Me” from the new album available for download on their homepage, check it out below:
There is no timely reason for this post, only to inform you that E is a genius and anyone who dislikes the Eels loses some serious cool points in my books. I defy you to listen to the album Electro-Shock Blues and tell me that is not a mind-altering piece of art. Beauty, love, sorrow, life, death. This album covers all of that. Well, mostly death, but still, this is one of my desert-island albums, if it came to that.
Plus, the video for Last Stop: This Town features a singing carrot. That’s what being signed to Dreamworks Records got you, when it existed.
I have no idea what Wild Beasts are on about, but if that isn’t a catchy song title then I don’t know what is. I’ve recommended this on many occasions and no one seems as struck as me. Granted it’s not very traditional, sounding as if Tiny Tim of “Tip-Toe Thru’ the Tulips With Me” fame took over lead vocals for the Archie Bronson Outfit. Oh, and throw in some of those coconuts banged together from Holy Grail. It just, well, goes. It’s so unusually good that I have to love it. If you like it, then check out out all ten tracks on their new album Limbo, Panto.
Albert Hammond, Jr. is back with his second solo album since The Strokes farted out First Impressions of Earth in 2006. Not to diminish his credibility, since Yours to Keep was a fantastic record and a true return to Strokes form. And though this second album doesn’t have the fiery punch of guitar pop majesty that his first album had, there are a few songs to write home about, chiefly “GfC”. Don’t ask me what it stands for, maybe you can find it on Wikipedia. It’s not only the best song on the album, but also the first single from ¿Cómo Te Llama?, which comes out tomorrow.
Mates of State have always been my favourite two piece. They’ve done a lot with just an organ and some drums. None of their records have sounded too much like the last, they’ve always kept it fresh. On their new album, Re-Arrange Us, they decide to throw some more instruments to the mix.
Out is the organ, and in comes a grand piano, and synthesizers. They flesh out their sound with strings and guitars, and even some guest backup singers. On their first couple of records, I always felt their singing felt very DIY, but their harmonies were so perfect and charming it didn’t matter. But on this album Kori’s voice has never sounded better.
All the aspects that make me love Mates of State are still there, the back and forth singing, the harmonies, and that charm that just radiates through them. This album sounds like Mates of State growing up. With 2 kids now, I guess they kinda are. Or they’re just getting better. Get Better! yeah…
There is nothing I love more than really fantastic bubblegum pop tunes. You know, the kind of songs that you would listen to when cruising in Cali with the top down and your hair blowing in the wind while you apply some tasty Diamond Icing Lip Smackers and giggle with your girlfriends. Well, I don’t know if they even make Diamond Icing anymore — they should though, Lip Smackers was the best part of 7th grade — but either way the soundtrack to my little joy ride fantasy would be Annie’s new song ‘Girlfriend‘. Remember Annie? The Norwegian pop singer who put out what Pitchfork called a ‘perfect pop tune’ back in 2004?! If you don’t, than learn. She is from Bergen, she’s blond and her last album, Anniemal was honestly one of the best things to happen back in 1st year university. Heartbeat was on repeat in my dorm room for the entire year and i never got sick of it because 1) it was perfection and 2) there were SO many good remixes — MSTRKRFT, Mylo, Röyksopp, Alan Braxe et al. — that i could switch it up every now and then. Anyways, her new album ‘Don’t Stop‘ will be released in July. There are already some remixes of ‘Girlfriend’… I like the Get Shakes one best, and Feadz is working on one as well… it should be superb.
ps. pop quiz….. where does the post title come from?! whoever figures this out first gets 10 neon hearts from moi….. and don’t google it… that ruins the fun
Their influences are obvious, and they tend not to hide them. Clearly obsessed with noise upon noise of The Jesus and Mary Chain foremost, and after that the chugging electronic beats of Cabaret Voltaire and Suicide, The Raveonettes (Website | MySpace) don’t really think they’re making any progression in music. They make music true to to their idols, which although it belongs to some rejected music community between 1977 and 1985, still sounds refreshing today.
First, let me apologize. This album didn’t even come out this year, and 5 months is about a dynasty in the internet age. But I’ve got lots of recently released music (and some not released yet) and I keep going back to Lust, Lust, Lust by The Raveonettes. A December 2007 release, nothing is going to stop it from sneaking into my end of year list.
As I’m writing this post, my sister just walks into the room ”It sounds like death!”. I disagree. She’s wrong in the same way as Juno saying that Sonic Youth is “just noise“. But I was the same in grade 9 when I heard Psychocandy and couldn’t really understand the Beach Boys comparisons. I do now. It’s brilliant melody and emotion hidden behind the raw energy of amp gains turned to 11.
The best Raveonettes album yet. Their music videos are crap and youtube sound quality just wouldn’t do, so download these if you like. Headphones is a must.
Forgive me hipsters, indie scenesters and other high-brow readers of the blog. I’m about to commit a cardinal sin of the underground blogosphere - I’m about to blog about … Coldplay.
I wouldn’t typically, but I’m a huge fan of their new song Violet Hill, and have been listening to it on repeat for the last 28 hours (when it was posted on the band’s site for free download, Radiohead styles, for a week only).
As always, Chris Martin’s lyrics are a combination of poetic, meaningful, meaningless and singalongy:
Clearly I remember
From the windows they were watching
While we froze down below
When the future’s architectured
By a carnival of idiots on show
You’d better lie low
If you love me
Won’t you let me know?
The song, like the rest of the band’s upcoming album, was produced by legend Brian Eno, who has time and time again been enlisted by bands, like U2, to change their sounds and styles. Violet Hill is definitely somewhat of a departure from Coldplay’s typical style, and it kind of excites me for their upcoming album (Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends) due June 17th.
Since being posted 24hours ago, the song has been downloaded 600,000 times, and Last.fm has pointed out that the Coldpay figures are a record, exceeding even the most popular track from the Radiohead album that was streamed for free back in October. That notched up 22,000 listens in 12 hours. Ok - that’s all I’ll say about Coldplay - promise.
Nada Surf make perfect pop songs. And they’re really great songs too. I’m always surprised that they aren’t bigger than they are.
They hit huge in ‘96 with their massive single “Popular”, than they were dumped by their major label. 7 years later they came out with Let Go and have been working their way back up in the indie music scene.
Their new album Lucky is my new soundtrack for this summer. Each song just bounces with catchy hooks and pretty interesting turns. It’s very easy to listen to, but has enough depth to keep bringing you back, not revealing everything at first listen. The album’s center track, “Are You Lightning?” is one of my favorite love songs written in the past few years.
I also got the chance to go see them a few weeks ago at the beautiful Opera House. First thing i noticed was the much older crowd. I’m guessing most of them have been following them since 1996… I even spotted a couple of The Barenaked Ladies in the crowd. But anyways, it was a pretty solid show, of almost 2 hours of pop rock perfection.
Have a listen, and pick their music!
http://www.barsuk.com/shop/nadasurf
As I’m sure you are all aware, Ed Rec Vol III will be released May 26th. Eeeeeeee!!!! It feels too far away. I don’t like waiting. Especially not for something that I know will be génial. In the mean time Feadz has put together a little mash-up of what is to come and it is so so yummy. It is Steak-Frites deliciousness.
ps. Uffie is getting married to some lamo named Andre?! She is supposed to marry Feadz!!! They were ed rec lovebirds and he is pretty much responsible for her career! In the words of Full House’s Stephanie Tanner…”How rude!”. anyways…i could continue this rant all day long but instead i’ll leave you with the track-list. voila…
1. Mr. Oizo - Yves
2. Busy P - To Protect And Entertain (feat. Murs)
3. Mr. Flash - Over The Top
4. SebastiAn - Dog
5. Uffie - Robot Oeuf
6. Justice - Stress (Auto Remix)
7. Mr. Oizo - Minuteman’s Pulse
8. DJ Mehdi - Pocket Piano
9. Krazy Baldhead - No Cow, No Pow
10. DSL - Find Me In The World
11. Feadz - Back It Up (feat. Spank Rock)
12. So Me - Decalcomania
