Like Pioneers: Gift From a Holiday By all accounts, Bound Stems should’ve been huge. They had sharp hooks, a cute female vocalist, great song titles (“Excellent news, Colonel”), and some of the freshest pop arrangements in recent memory. Alas, like their Chicago/ Flameshovel brethren Chin Up Chin Up , they met an early end. I feared all hope was lost until this afternoon, when I discovered that singer/guitarist Bobby Gallivan had assembled a brand new supergroup. Like Pioneers [...]
Chicago's Like Pioneers are set to officially release their debut album, Piecemeal , through Abandoned Love Records on August 17th. The album is currently available digitally at the band's Bandcamp page (name your own price). The band features members of Bound Stems and The Narrator, and was formed this past December. Piecemeal was recorded in just two weekends in December and January, with members of the aforementioned bands along with members of Vacations, Chin Up Chin Up, and a few other bands meeting up in the studio to complete the album. So, I [...]
Song obsessions are those songs that we listen to on repeat. I noticed that my obsessions are often a week long. I also thought that other people might have similar obsessions. I've collected a panel of a few like-minded individuals and gotten their "song obsessions of the week." Quite often it's easy to explain why the song is good; it's much hard to explain why we're obsessed. Maybe you'll become obsessed with one of these. - Adrian ( me ): the Welcome Wagon - But for You Who Fear My [...]
Here are three new acts for you to delve into: The CrownsFor those who like: Drive-By Truckers, Wilco An up-and-coming roots rock group. The Crowns' website Rachael SageFor those who like: Ani Difranco, Carole King A Female folky for those who are tired of the same old names. Rachael Sage's Myspace Bound StemsFor those who like: Mute Math, Atlas Sound This Chicago indie band includes the former
I always know that just about anything released on Secretly Canadian Records will be quality and A Certain Feeling , from Bodies Of Water, is no exception. The big-top indie-rock is moody and interesting like a cross between The Talking Heads, Cold War Kids, and (maybe) Bjork. It's good but (really) I don't even know how to describe this. MP3 | Bodies Of Water - Under The Pines A Certain Feeling Minneapolis' Stook (by way of Indiana) [...]
In what I can only describe as a "weird" year for music, it's been extremely difficult getting a "top" list in order. None of my usual heavy hitters were releasing records this year, and any record I had been anticipating, I had the good fortune of being involved in the process (publicity, assisting management, label work, etc.). At first I was thinking of completely banning these from the list. However, after much thought, I decided that I might have a tough time coming up with an honest top list if I did that. For the record, I will not be [...]
Furr by Blitzen Trapper This album has a nice 60's/70's feel to it. I think it's much better than Wild Mountain Nation . Not Your Lover by Blitzen Trapper Hometowns by The Rural Alberta Advantage Fans of Neutral Milk Hotel will probably like this one. Don't Haunt This Place by The Rural Alberta Advantage The Family Afloat by [...]
From grizzled vets to fresh-faced upstarts, Hypeful's annual ranking of all the must-hear music for 2008 is finally completed! Although assembling a year-end list has certainly been a frustrating endeavor racked with difficult choices, the experience is ultimately a rewarding reminder of just how many great releases come out every ...
Everyone else is doing it so why shouldn't I? That's right, listmania 2008 is finally here and what I've got to present to you here is the first half of my favorite albums of the year. Love 'em or hate 'em, these are the albums that made the cut. I decided to stick with a list of 50 this year mainly because that's what I've done in the past and also because 2008 was a really great year for new music and narrowing down the list to fewer than this just seemed unfair. [...]
If you are in search for some catchy pop/folk music similar to Built to Spill or Modest Mouse, check out the Chicago band Bound Stems. They released their sophomore album in September called The Family Afloat , and although their complex song structures are a bit too experimental for my tastes at times, there are some really good tracks on the album. I like Bobby Gallivan's vocals, which bring to mind Ed Harcourt. "Winston" is the folkiest song on the album, and is also ( 'therefore?') my favorite. The song features a banjo and back-up female vocals-two [...]
I'm moving into a new apartment. It's stressful, unpleasant and time consuming, and I can't wait for it to be over. Yesterday, I was packing and realized that I was singing 'Unbreak my Heart' by Toni Braxton . Loudly. Why??? I have no idea. Maybe the idea of leaving my tiny basement apartment is subconsciously causing me grief? It then dawned on me that my poor choice of song was probably due to the fact that I was marinating in copious amounts of nail polish remover (I had to clean up a neon pink [...]
I forgot how much I loved this guy. Dark atmospheric electronic music will always have a special place in my heart. Odd Nosdam - Fat Hooks Taking indie rock by storm yet again; +/- are back with their fun and dreamy album, Xs on Your Eyes. +/- - Snowblind "It took me years for these words," Bound Stems lead vocalist Bobby Gallivan hollers, "years to admit [...]
Subscription Feeds: New Song Daily Only | All Podcasts E-mail Comments: phill[at]thephiller[dot]com Bound Stems " Happens To Us All Otherwise " (mp3) from The Family Afloat ( Flameshovel Records ) Buy at Insound Buy at iTunes Music Store Buy at [...]
BOUND STEMS on MySPACE . From the LP THE FAMILY AFLOAT , 2008 >>> [ MP3 ] "Happens to Us All Otherwise" [ MP3 ] "Winston"
I had over 40 songs last week but for some reason, on a second listen through I didn't like most of them. Oh well. Just means the ones that make it to the final mix are that much better. A relatively high energy mix without many slow downs. Enjoy. Mason Proper - Lock and Key [...]
three songs that are getting me through this week... Bound Stems - Sugar Magic City Passion Pit - Sleepy Head Ponytail - Beg Waves (hopefully more about them in the next post but for more now, go here ) and if you're still not sure whether these will see you through to friday or not.... [...]
Enjoy 'Sugar City Magic' below. Visit the Chicago based act at their MySpace page. MP3: Bound Stems - Live On WOXY
Periodically we will be cruising the web looking for decent track's of the day. They will be posted in the category Track's Of The Day. Today (well Friday but seen it today) posted over at CBC Radio 3 is a track by Ashley Park titled Nobody Broke Your Heart. Ashley Park is an alternative pop group out of Vancouver, BC. Download audio file (CBCR3Track_2008-09-26.mp3) Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) had some great tunes this week featured on their Track of the Day series. First [...]
Periodically we will be cruising the web looking for decent track's of the day. They will be posted in the category Track's Of The Day. Today (well Friday but seen it today) posted over at CBC Radio 3 is a track by Ashley Park titled Nobody Broke Your Heart. Ashley Park is an alternative pop group out of Vancouver, BC. Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) had some great tunes this week featured on their Track of the Day series. First off was Mogwai's "Batcat" from their new [...]
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