Blog: Music That Isn't Bad.

It's been a while since we've heard anything new from Delta Spirit, but this past week has been big for the group - releasing two music videos, one which for their brand new song.  "Running" was written specifically for the AMC drama "The Walking Dead" and honestly, it sounds like it would be a perfect fit. It's a slow moving arrangement, which suits the show perfectly. 

Coma Cinema , from Columbia, South Carolina is an indie pop band that defines what using the web musically and thoughtfully can do. In a digital age where many seem to be lost at sea, Mat Cothran swam his way through the internet before Pitchfork recognized him in 2010. Maybe he sailed. But needless to say it took him five years to reach the mainland. And it's hard to sift through the musical crap that you can find on the web these days. There is a Great Pacific Garbage Patch out there, and its confusing people. [...]

"Song for Zula" at first listen reminded me of a slowed down, eerier version of Johnny Cash and U22s collaboration in "Wanderer."   Additionally, with the repetitious line "love is a burning thing" it's hard not to make some sort of mention of the man in black.   Phosphorescent's newest track is one that the emphasis should be on the lyrics and the music just provides a platform to present the message to the listener.  You can find this tune on their most recent and critically acclaimed album,  Muchacho .

L.A. group TORCHES' latest single "When You Gonna?" is a nice easy going tune that they were kind enough to put up for a free download.  It can be found on their upcoming EP If the People Stare which is set to drop May 6th.  Follow the Soundcloud link below to get your free download.

• TORCHES - When You Gonna?

Yesterday, our own  Tony Porter  gave you all a taste of this Tuesday's featured new release,  Dear Miss Lonelyhearts  by Cold War Kids , with the first official single "Miracle Mile." As another MTIB favorite,  Cold War Kids are back to present their fourth full-length album in the band's short, nine-year career and this one is a doozy. It roars out of the gate with the aforementioned single and rolls right along with a good mix of upbeat and laid back tracks. What draws my attention most with this album is the different percussion and varying [...]

• Cold War Kids - Dear Miss Lonelyhearts

Delta Spirit has released a video for "Yamaha," a track found on their most recent self-titled LP.  It serves as somewhat as a tour documentary as front man Matt Vasquez shot the entire video throughout their latest run of U.S. shows.  If you've ever been looking for some insight into what all goes on during a Delta Spirit tour, well, here's you chance to find out.

Cold War Kids couldn't have hit my musical g-spot anymore than they did with their newest release "Miracle Mile."  The loud piano banging and heavy dose of drums was exactly what I needed to get my morning started out right.  Give this song a listen and if you like what you hear, go out and get their album Dear Miss Lonelyhearts , out April 2nd.

• Pedro Malhão - Cold War Kids Miracle Mile

---------- Pop music galore, both old and new - it's hard not to have a smirk on your face when you're listening to this playlist. So, step outside of any pretentious prerequisites you have for liking music and just enjoy it.

Joey Ryan and The Inks  are an independent rock band with hints of both pop and folk elements.  They've been gaining countless fans not just locally, but across the country, at a rapid pace.  For five years now the band has been hard at work making a plethora of locally and critically acclaimed hits, landing them on year end lists a plenty. With two full-length releases under their belt, they've become a respected main stay in the Twin Cities.  It's been nearly two years since their last release,  Dennis Lane, but an EP is in the works and set [...]

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs are back with a video for their newest single "Sacrilege" from their soon to be released album Mosquito .  The video tells the backwards story of a girl being hunted down and killed for sleeping with a priest and, well, really everyone else in the village as well.  Kind of depressing, I know.  Although the video is all doom and gloom, the song is catchy as can be with crafty guitar work and steady bass lines.  It's a really cool video and even better song.  Check it out below.

Here's a new song from Outasight to jam to as you're getting ready for your Saturday night and whatever adventures you may be getting yourself into.  That's all.  Happy Saturday.

• Outasight - Remember Me

L.A. group TORCHES' latest single "When You Gonna?" is a nice easy going tune that they were kind enough to put up for a free download.  It can be found on their upcoming EP If the People Stare which is set to drop May 6th.  Follow the Soundcloud link below to get your free download.

I couldn't stop grinning the entire time I was watching the video for "Pool!," the latest from the Australian group Cub Scouts .  Maybe it was the because of the great one-piece swimsuits, the awkwardness of the background dancers, or the band actually doing their own synchronized routine - either way, it sure looked like the the band was having a great time making the video.

During SXSW we had a chance to sit down with Dim Mak representatives Scanners,  who have recently put out their newest EP "Mexico," which was released right before they hit Austin.  Their third time at the mega industry fest, we discussed electronic influences, working with Steve Aoki and staying DIY. MTIB: How has the rise of electro affected the way you guys are making music? SCANNERS: We feel as if we're making the same sound we always have but still trying to push the limits.  We each have individual writing styles that all kind of [...]

• Scanners - Mexico EP

Discovery posts have been lacking. This should make up for it. Five songs ranging from awesome to awesome. Anyway, the bands work hard, support them... asshole!

• Rogue Wave - College

Often times you get the feeling that albums are written about a particular relationship that the songwriter endured. Sometimes the lamenting continues across several albums. In 2002, lead singer of Cloud Cult , Craig Minowa, lost his infant son - much more emotionally taxing than a relationship that went south. Not surprisingly, any song Cloud Cult has released since 2002 has been influenced by the event. Yet, what is so compelling about Cloud Cult is Craig Minowa's ability to take a situation that might normally translate into something dark and/or depressed and turn them into songs about the beauty [...]

If you've ever wanted to listen to Paul McCartney without all of the Paul McCartney, you should listen to Emitt Rhodes . Rhodes will open your world and take you to a piece of the 602s and 702s that was smothered by mainstream music. I was blown away when I first heard this record. This is some sophisticated pop music. It has meaning, but you aren't asked to sift through complexities to get to it. This simplicity makes the listening really pleasant. Some songs are happy, some are sad, but Rhodes keeps them all on a balanced [...]

Savages' "She Will" can be found on their forthcoming album Silence Yourself.  The first single off the album is an upbeat, almost psychedelic, track that could easily find itself in a horror movie.  Although the vocals may seem a bit "screamy" at times, the track gets my heart racing and reals me in.  Take a listen below.

Brushfire Records never seems to disappoint.  Their lineup of artists is out of this world awesome and Matt Costa is just one member of their lengthy and robust roster of talent.  His newest release just emboldens the catalog of records he has already put out in the past decade. Matt teased us in late 2012 with the release of his Sacred Hills EP  that eventually made my Favorite EPs of 2012 list.  But like I said, at only four songs long, it was only a tease and left me searching for more [...]

• Matt Costa - self titled

First of all, if you don't know who John Fullbright is, go out and introduce yourself to his music.  His three piece band may look unalarming but the crew really puts on one hell of a show.  The Oklahoma native is just one album young ( From the Ground Up)  but his twangy rock sound already has me thinking he's going to be something special. On a side note, I just wanted to mention the quality of openers that I have seen at G. Love & Special Sauce shows over the years.  It's turned into an [...]