Left Standing

Civilian - Wye Oak

The Indie-Folk/ Folk-Rock genre is full of bands with identical sounds and a shallow idea of what the genre is actually all about. Wye Oak have managed to distinguish themselves, along with a few others, in the eyes of all Folk-Rock lovers. Civilian is an elegant blend of dreamy vocals, acoustic and electric guitar, glorious drums and an always deliberate pacing that speak volumes for the quality of each song and create an environment you wouldn't mind getting lost in. The title track, "Civilian" is probably the overall best song on the album but unlike several other albums, it is not the only track with any kind of real value. "Dog's Eyes" is not filler to round the track list up to ten; with it's quick pace and amazing build-up from the acoustic to the electric guitar, it is one fun musical experience. "Fish" may start off a little slower, it pays off with fantastic vocals and a deep atmosphere. "Hot As Day" great name for a great track, loud, powerful instrumentals, superb vocals with that dreamy tone, hot indeed. Altogether, this is an album built from the bottom up with heart and passion and you can hear it in each cord and in every word; the best Indie-Folk album so far this year.

1.- Civilian 

2.- Dog's Eyes

3.- Doubt

4.- Fish

5.- Holy Holy

6.- Hot As Day

7.- Plains

8.- The Alter

9.- Two Small Deaths

10.- We Were Wealth

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A Week In The Life...

7 Days - Cook Norman Blaze

Hip-Hop is a generation defining genre in music, so much so that it isn't simply a style of music, it's an entire culture, a way of life. "7 Days" taps into that 80's style of Hip-Hop when telling your story and getting your message through in a way that would be enjoyable to anyone who listened was the main goal. As the mixtape's title would lead you to believe, the tracks are set in the context of one week starting on a Wednesday I like to think; though there isn't one stream of thought., there is a coherence from "Day 1- The Show" to "Day 7 - Over". Being a mixtape, it does sound a bit raw while still being well mixed, but there is a lot of potential in CNB especially lyrically; nothing overly superficial or just put together right before recording, these are well put together and deliberate lyrics with their own meaning and value. I've always supported talented up-and-coming artists and I think Cook Norman Blaze is an artist worth listening to especially if you've been looking for a different sound without completely going off the tracks.

1.- Day 1 - The Show

2.- Day 2 - Thinking Out Loud

3.- Day 3 - Far From Kind

4.- Day 4 - Tonight (Ft. Lelelhe)

5.- Day 5 - Sunday Morning (Ft. Gigi)

6.- Day 6 - Lights Out

7.- Day 7 - Over

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Innocent

Ritual - White Lies

White Lies' sophomore album "Ritual" is a short departure from their previous work "To Lose My Life..." yet is not more of the same. The balance on the album is a point worth noting: tracks such as "Bad Love", "Strangers" and "Bigger Than Us" tend to be faster paced and energetic, others like "Come Down" and "Turn The Bells" go for a slower vibe while not altogether crawling. One aspect which is constant is the dark lyrics and powerful vocals, both reasons why I was drawn to this band; think Alternative-Rock shell with a Punk-Rock and Grunge core. "To Lose My Life..." was an utterly satisfying musical experience and a real triumph for a debut album but "Ritual" is far from a simple after-taste of their previous oeuvre, it stands alone and  proves that this band still has room to grow and develop their sound while not straying too far from their roots. "Ritual" is not perfect, but after listening to it in it's entirety, it remains a well crafted ensemble, flat-lining in certain sections but picking itself up quickly. If you had the pleasure of listening to any track on "To Lose My Life..." you will enjoy this one as well and may even grow to appreciate White Lies even more.

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Hallowin

So I'm going to post a list that has nothing to do with Halloween - I don't care for the holiday - I just put it together coincidentally.

  1. Bahnhof Zoo - Red Light Company - Fine Fascination

  2. Black River Killer - Blitzen Trapper - Black River Killer

  3. Education - Mirah - (a)spera

  4. Feel Good Together - Drummer - Feel Good Together

Honestly the whole song for me is about that killer guitar that permeates the chorus and the end of the song but I enjoyed the Spy Vs. Spy Vs. Spy vibe they got going on in the video.

  5. Fire - Kasabian - The West Rider Pauper Lunatic Asylum This song is nothing new but I've always loved the video -those who've seen FLCL will be familiar with their "special" guitars- not to mention the song is fantastic.

  6. Harder Hit - Loquat - Secrets Of The Sea

  7. Higher Than The Stars - The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - Higher Than The Stars

  8. My Delirium - Ladyhawke - Ladyhawke

  9. My Girlfriend's Boyfriend - Her Space Holiday - The Young Machines

10. Sleepwalking - The Jaguar Club - And We Woke Up Slow

11. Sunlight - Harlem Skakes - Technicolor Health

12. To Feel Love - Butterfly Boucher - Scary Fragile

13. Underdog - Kasabian - West Rider Pauper Lunatic Asylum

14. We Own The Sky - M83 - Saturdays = Youth Picnic on a nice day, he meets a girl he likes, she finds a boy she might want to be with; but wait... what's in the sky ?! It's Cubes !!!

15. Whoa Is Me - Down With Webster - Time To Win

16. *Complete List*

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Once In A While

Strict Joy - The Swell Season

I got my first taste of The Swell Season in the brilliant musical movie "Once" and was quite taken by the charm and genuine tone of the film and the soundtrack. Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová have the greatest of chemistry and it really comes through in there music; their debut self-titled album was a delight to my ears but this recent installment puts them on another level in my opinion. Though never wandering too far from their Folk style of play, no two songs are alike yet the album manages to keep a coherent message: the real side of love. I would highly recommend checking out their film, you could get a good idea of what the swell season are all about and be entertained at the same time. I've fawned over this long enough; so until next time.

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Down Under

Treasures EP - Antonio Paul

So I finally got around to listening to the latest EP released by Australian band Antonio Paul and my first impression of the Indie-Pop duo is quite positive. I didn't what to make of the sound that they make their own, not revolutionary but seldom ventured, they certainly have a laid-back attitude when it comes to music making. If you like a little quirk in your lyrics and a dash of weird to your instruments, you should give this one a try; chances are "City Dreams" will be your favorite. Plan on following these guys future releases.

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Danish Delight

No More Stories Are Told Today, I'm Sorry They Washed Away // No More Stories, The World Is Grey, I'm Tired, Let's Wash Away - Mew

Danish band Mew's fifth studio release is one that caught my interest after listening to their first single "Cartoons And Macramé Wounds" and then following that up with my personal favorite "Repeaterbeater". And what you have read is actually the album's title commonly known by "No More Stories..." ; that plus the wacky artwork could give you an idea of what you might discover in this ensemble. These guys are the poster-boys in my opinion of the Progressive-Rock scene and it shows in the way they put together each individual track, the way sounds drift in and out, the many variations in a single song and the general ambiance that the fourteen tracks - even the interludes - can create are really brilliant. I must stress that if you are not willing or open to this genre, this will not change your mind, but I can't speak for everyone. If you think you can give it a shot, you will have no regrets.

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Tet Vav Semiprime

Got another list ready so here it is. I do not own any of the videos.

1.- Backfire - MuteMath - Armistice
2.- Belong In - Beerjacket - A Boy Of Action
3.- Borderline (Madonna) - Flaming Lips - Embryonic

Borderline - Flaming Lips

- This vid is long but the song makes it worth the length.

4.- Circles - As Tall As Lions - You Can't Take It With You
5.- Cloudbusting - Anthem In - The Cloudbusting
6.- Hostage Of Love - Razorlight - Slipway Fires
7.- Juno - Tokyo Police Club - Elephant Shell
8.- Mel's Song - Cosmo Jarvis - Hum As You Hitch/ Son Of A Bitch
9.- Repeaterbeater - Mew - No More Stories Are Told Today Sorry...

Repeaterbeater - Mew

- They sing in English but they speak something that sounds like Danish. Doesn't take away from the weirdness of this one.

10.- Return Of White Rabbit - Ash - Vol.1 A-Z

Return Of White Rabbit - Ash

- Animated vid about a man who has been tormented since he was a child by a another guy. The lesson to take away here is if you push somebody too hard he'll push back and probably succumb to a crazy-looking alter-ego.

11.- Riverside - Kid Harpoon - Once
12.- Stagger Gently Home - The Holy Roman Army - How The Light Gets In
13.- The Stone - Canoe - Places
14.- Watch As They Go - American Princes - Other People
15.- Work Day - It Hugs Back - Inside Your Guitar

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Burnt Or Crossed

Crossing The Rubicon - The Sounds

The Sounds released their third album on June of last year and I must admit it took me time to actually get this album seeing as how I had already gotten three great tracks. Right off the bat, this album is great from top to bottom, a dozen jewels in this release. The songs would be labeled as New Wave but to really get an idea of how this sounds, I believe it toes the line between Alternative Rock & Electro-Pop. Fantastic harmonies, superior mixing, superb vocals, provided by lead singer Maja, high energy sounds and all around genuine desire to make good music are what make this a must-have for lovers of the genre. I had recently learned that this album was self-produced and released by the label founded by The Sounds themselves and seemingly funded by their world tour; at least they had a say on what exactly is going to be on their album and I'm glad they did so because this was an experience for me, and it might be for you as well.

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Thistasteful

I haven't posted a list in a long time so why not start back up again ? This is the usual Indie-Rock/ Alternative kind of music you might come to expect from me but good music is good music, for me anyways, and you might love it.

1. Andrew - Crystal Antlers - Tentacles
2. Don't Forget To Regret - Benjamin E. Morsberger - Idiot Sleep
3. Easy Speak - Maple Leaves - Maple Leaves
4. Edgar - Lucky Elephant - Star Sign Trampoline
5. Eidolon - Sinew - The Beauty Of Contrast
6. First Love - Emmy The Great - First Love
7. Hi - Now It's Overhead - Now It's Overhead
8. How You Like Me Now - The Heavy - The House That Dirt Built
9. Last Dance - Chapeau Claque - Fabelweiss
10. Letting Go - Exit The Ordinary - The Place You Are
11. Light you Up - Pilot Speed - Wooden Bones
12. Natural Light - Casiotone For The Painfully Alone - Vs. Children
13. New Years - Ohbijou - Beacons New Years - Ohbijou - Created By: Exploding Motor Car
    
14. San Rafael - Petracovich -Crepusculo
    
15. She Does - Locksley - Don't Make Me Wait
16. Sit Down By The Fire - The Veils - Sun Gangs
17. Sometimes - The Barlights - If It Wasn't For The Light
18. Sparrow - Trespassers William - The Natural Order Of Things
    
19. Valium - Lisa Mitchell - Wonder
    
20. Welcome Home - Radical Face - Ghost
    

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By Leaps

One Beacon In The Strand - Disalto

I like Punk-Rock; I especially like it when it sounds this good. While this is not the best album of this genre that I've heard, it is the best I've listened to in a long time. Punk rockers tend to be far too political in recent times and I feel it takes away from the musical experience; even though political themes play a huge part of Punk-Rock's history they shouldn't overtake an entire album. One of the best things about Disalto's second release is the great mixing job; sounds random but if you've ever listened to this genre you can understand my delight. Harmonies and subtle nuances come through just as much as blazing guitar riffs and explosive drums and I guarantee that it makes for a rather enjoyable experience. All ten of the featured tracks are good in their own way and there is not one definitive track that stands above all others which makes for a fairly balanced album. I've droned on long enough, so I'll leave you to it.

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Polar Opposite

Remind Me Where The Light Is - Great Northern

Indie Rock band Great Northern released their second studio album last year and in my opinion it tops their previous work by far. While "Trading Twilight For Daylight" was a fantastic album, they have managed to improve on their always dreamy sound on their latest release. The general tone of every track is the underlying story of love lost and love remembered; the dual vocals of Solon and Rachel also add to the relationship themes. That being said, this is not the sappy kind of love wrapped in a melancholic melody, most of the lyrics are deeply enigmatic and take some deciphering to get the message. All in all, this is a truly satisfying listening experience full of ambient mystifying sounds and soothing vocals mixed with a dash of energy.

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Sunny Days Cloudy

Rainy Days - Wren

I don't know much about this band but I know that their music is the kind of different that isn't found around every corner. Each of the tracks featured are seemingly split up into two coherent songs which makes for a welcome change in the pace and tone. A fair warning: adjust your ears; this is a great album but I didn't think so the first time I gave it a listen, so if you're up for it, hear it out and then judge. Also, look out for a cover of one of the greatest classic pop songs ever made.

(As far as I know)The following videos are not the official ones, but they are shot by the artist himself.

Abusing Sunshine - Wren

This is the video that incited me to track down this band and get the album. I don't believe that the simplicity of this video as any symbolism to it but the single-angle aspect is brilliant.


A Philistine On The Sidewalk - Wren


The vocals are by Brittany Soldo and the music and lyrics are by Cody Weber (Wren). I wish this song was on the album.

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The Young Sound

The Bit Parts EP

Fresh from the still-rattled gulf coast, the Youth Sounds have not been stopped by the recent disasters. I discovered this new band a few days ago and was shocked to find out that these are their first tracks, ever. Their sound seems so worked, as if they have been recording for a long time and have just released their favorite tracks on an EP. I haven't analyzed the tracks enough so I can't formulate a concrete opinion; but I'm only just discovering this band and if my first impression is anything to go by, I plan on following their next releases with great excitement

1. As Strangers Would - Youth Sounds - The Bit Parts
   
2. Smoke And Mirrors - Youth Sounds - The Bit Parts
   
3. What Is It Like - Youth Sounds - The Bit Parts

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A Boombox Can Change The World

BOOMBOX - THE LONELY ISLAND (Feat. JULIAN CASABLANCAS)

Being a big fan of the Lonely Island, I was so happy to stumble upon their latest video. As usual, the concept for this video is straight out of left field and goes right to the funny bone. The Strokes lead singer provides the vocals; great gig for him. Enjoy.

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Corner Rap

TSOL - Shad

This is the first rap album I have ever posted and this is with good reason. Listening to rap these days is really hard for me, is it just me or are rappers less creative ? Regardless, I had the great fortune of stumbling onto this nugget brought to you by the Canadian rapper who goes by the name of Shad. This is his third album and having listened to his previous work, this is an overall improvement to his sound but his lyrics are still as potent and grounded as they were since he picked up the mic. The origin of his name is colorfully explained in "A Good Name", "Keep Shining" seems like it revolves around the standard rap brag yet it stands out as a polar opposite and the fantastic vibe surely does not hurt. "We, Myself & I" is by far the high energy track of the album and the use of the letter "I" in the first verse is the kind of creativity I was talking about. "At The Same Time" has a darker tone but the underlying message is meant to uplift and educate, the resulting sound is haunting yet beautiful; hard to get in a rap song. "Listen" has an oddly old-school vibe about it while still sounding very fresh and relevant, this track voices some of the concerns many of us have about the road rap is going down and the need for it to go back to the representation of the people. I have gone on long enough, so until the next post...

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Hood Internet

The Mixtape Volume Four - The Hood Internet

For those of you who are unaware, The Hood Internet is made up of a couple of DJs who take Rap, Hip-Hop and R&B songs and mix them with Indie-Pop/Rock and Alternative music. The resulting sound is rather unique and offers something different to your musical palette. The tracks really speak for themselves and with over thirty of them, its hard to just pick out one. I found this group by accident and was enchanted by their personal approach in terms of taking two rather different genres and blending them to almost invent a new sound. Though this is their fourth mixtape, they have over four hundred tracks and over seven hundred artists mixed together. Pretty amazing when you think about it, but the important part is listening to it. I've used the Hood Internet's mixtapes to discover several new artists both in Hip-Hop and in Indie music, and you could do the same. In short, enjoy a new musical experience and check out the rest of their stuff if you liked it.

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Galactic Fruit

Fruit - The Asteroids Galaxy Tour

All the way from Denmark, The Asteroids' first album is really out of this world. "Different" is a word that can very well define the majority of the tracks featured in this album. Mette's vocals have a rather rare tone to them that does a great job of complimenting the jazzy instrumentals and make for a unique overall sound. These songs take some getting used to because of their strange sound and unusual vocals and more than one track need a few listens before really enjoying it. "Around The Bend" would be the most recognizable since it was used in the iPod touch commercials when it was released, but it holds it's own regardless. "The Sun Ain't Shining No More" is a little more tamed than the rest of the tracks yet is a memorable addition to my playlist. "Sunshine Coolin'" is more Indie-Pop than Jazz/Alternative even though it manages to stay true to the formula and takes full advantage of Mette's fantastic voice. "Hero" is a laid back type of track with some great trumpets and a somewhat Jazz club ambiance about it. All in all, if you're open to hearing something new and different, give this album a chance and you might be pleasantly surprised.

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Breathe Deep

Lungs- Florence + The Machine

Released in April 2009, Florence + The Machine's debut album is a sign of great things to come. Florence's voice is truly something special; with talent abound, she can hit those epic notes and the melodic even soul-like tone of her voice offer a soothing yet powerful sensation. Let's not forget about the "Machine" part of the band which is comprised of various bands who add there vocals and instruments to the musical atmosphere. This album is near flawless although certain tracks stand out more than others; such as: "Howl", an angelic blend of vocals and ambient sound that result in something truly beautiful. "You've Got The Love", the title speaks for itself and the lyrics go where you would expect, but the way it gets there is the most enjoyable part. "Blinding" really shows off her vocal range in spades. "Drumming Song" the chorus best describes the album as a whole in my opinion: " Louder than sirens, louder than bells, sweeter than Heaven and hotter than Hell". "Rabbit Heart" is the song that grabbed me since the first listen and cemented my love for this band, fantastic lyrics, grandiose instrumental and just the right length, in short, perfect. If you enjoy Indie/Soul, you'll truly be enchanted with this album.

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Firing Squad & Toy Soldiers

Pins & Panzers - Plushgun

I've been following Plushgun since the demos were released in 2007, and in 2009 their first album dropped. I can honestly say this one is a top-to-bottom fantastic album for any Synth-Pop/Indie Rock lover or even those who are still new and reluctant to the genre. Overall, the tracks tend to be easy-going, never too loud but still energetic and often found myself surprised at how smoothly one song can blend into the next while still maintaining their individual identities. "Just Impolite" is their better known single and also the best way to get introduced to this band; "The Dark In You" has a little more energy but manages to never get carried away; "How We Roll" speaks to all the teens in high-school who feel different and like it; "14 Candles" is a definite sing-along type song if you're a romantic at heart. All together you'll notice the wide range of instruments, most notably the piano and several synthesizers, but also ukuleles, dashes of violins and various strings, that will effectively put you in the right mood. Ultimately this album is not for everybody, yet it remains a New Wave gold nugget if you have the taste for it and hopefully I have done enough to sell you on it. If you like it, go get it, I know I did (No pressure).

P.S.- Sorry for the couple of months without posts, been going through a lot lately, I'll try harder to do this more often.

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