Barzin 's third album, Notes to An Absent Lover , is a quiet melodic reflection of a breakup. But before you roll your eyes at another folky breakup album, let me tell you that this one is quite pretty and haunting. It's quiet and introspective, with weepy slide guitar, but doesn't get too get self-indulgent. While the lyrics focus on the sadness, anger and generally confused quality associated with breakups, its the orchestral arrangements that really drives this record. It's reverb heavy folk for those days when you only want to hear sad songs. [...]
Chicago, IL's the Yearbooks have only been around for a year and a half. They're unsigned, but if they keep the hooks coming, they're already ahead of the game. These guys have a warm power pop sound that conveys summer days and the headstrong romaticism of 80's new wave. This is definitely not music for cynics. But if you're secretly an optimist, this is for you. Their Have a Great Summer EP is available on iTunes. Yearbooks - Season of Love (mp3) (iTunes)
I'm pretty excited to see this. I think George Michael has finally got it right this time.
Syracuse, New York's Ra Ra Riot will be releasing it's second full length, the Orchard , on August 24, 2010. The group consists of a vocalist, bassist, guitarist, cellist, violinist and drummer. Their first album was indie rock with chamber music sensibilities. It's wonderfully contradictory with joyous noise, syrupy giddiness and dark tones throughout. I'm hoping for some more complex pop from these guys. Tracklistings for the Orchard is as follows: 1. The Orchard 2. Boy 3. Too Dramatic 4. Foolish 5. Massachusetts 6. [...]
Nope, I'm not referring to Matthew McConaughey's adorable son's favourite bedtime songs. Levi's (the iconic jeans company) has started a series of sessions call "Pioneer Sessions 2010 Revival Recordings". They've asked artists from different musical genres to record a musical track that is special to them. Best part, they're giving these songs away almost free (provided you sign up for a promotional newsletter you can totally ignore and send away as spam)! Two new cover tunes each week for 6 weeks! [...]
I'm not sure if Atlanta, GA's Gringo Star is the worst band name I've ever heard. Or if it's the most awesome thing ever. And aside from the fact that their first full length is called All Y'all , this is some serious shit. It's southern swagger, straight forward garage rock with hints of jangly britpop thrown in. It's fantastically catchy with just the right about of cynicism and devil-may-care attititude to make it work. Gringo Star - All Y'all (mp3) (buy)
International Waters are a jangly indie-pop band based in Austin, TX led by Mitch Calvert (of my beloved Voxtrot). They've recently completed a 10" EP and will be recording their first full length this summer. It's funny that their myspace states they sound like "post-partum depression." Those liars. It's nothing like post-partum depression, or maybe post-partum depression should sound this good! It's more like the "kaleidoscope of pop music" like their influences. Check out a little sample below: International Water - Flashes (mp3) (buy)
Los Angeles's Letting Up Despite Great Faults is wash of shoegaze dream pop with punches of electronic beats and guitar poking through the fuzziness. It's light, airy and sounds like the soundtrack (real or film version) of a modern day hipster romance. It's a difficult task to create introspective, shimmery and subdued music by using mostly electronic beats. Alot of electro pop acts ends up sounding too cynical or futuristic or dance oriented. Here it sounds almost organic, only interspersed with pops bips and whirs that somehow create a warm fuzzy feeling. [...]
Interpol has made a special announcement: "We're stirring. Please take a moment to visit our website: www.interpolnyc.com We want to show you something. And make sure you come back soon." That special something is a new song made available for a free download from their not-yet-titled forthcoming LP on their official site . Since that announcement was made on April 28th, 2010, the demand has been so strong, their server has spontaneous combusted. Keep checking back [...]
I'm liking the sound of a band called Modern Mothers . I know absolutely nothing about them, other than they're from Philadelphia. I suppose they like a little mystery. I found out about them through a guy named Judd Ba Da Bing. And their band shots are random shots of random people. I do know this: "Modern Mothers = T. Rex + Gang of Four + a pinch of Wolf Parade" Modern Mothers - Allison (mp3) (buy)
This is the tenth official installment of the Impressionable Youth Tardy Series. Sometimes (a lot of the times) great music ends up getting lost in our inbox. If we eventually find it and like it, you'll see it here. It's old news, but it's good news. Sorry we were tardy! The Band : Ume The Album : Sunshower EP Date Received : December 2009 You Should Give It A Listen If [...]
This is the ninth official installment of the Impressionable Youth Tardy Series. Sometimes (a lot of the times) great music ends up getting lost in our inbox. If we eventually find it and like it, you'll see it here. It's old news, but it's good news. Sorry we were tardy! The Band : Make Your Exit The Album : Remind Me the Reason I Came EP Date Received : [...]
That's right. The Black Lips wanna take you on! On a basketball court, that is. It's happening Saturday May 1st at Clark Atlantic College. They'll be playing and donating their participation fees for the Auditory Verbal Centre Inc , a non-profit organization dedicated to the rehabilitation of deaf children, some of whom have been outfitted with cochlear implants. The Black Lips are challenging you and other bands to play and donate to charity : [...]
There's a lot of hype about the British band The xx . Their debut album (simply titled 'xx') has been critically acclaimed. Their music has been in a variety of TV shows like Gossip Girl, Lie To Me and Grey's Anatomy. A friend recently gave me their CD with high recommendations and for some reason I haven't been able to get into them the way my friend expected me to. Mostly, I feel this is because The xx is a band that I need to be [...]
Today, I accidently banged my leg against a filing cabinet leaving a large bluish bruise. Today, I found out an entire part of my email account had been lost due to a server error. Today, I had to beg a local concert hall to reinstate $200 tickets that my sister had lost. No biggie. It's not such a bad day. Then I find out Voxtrot broke up. WTF?! FML! Voxtrot is/was one of my favourite bands of the last few years. I have played their songs so many [...]
This is the eighth official installment of the Impressionable Youth Tardy Series. Sometimes (a lot of the times) great music ends up getting lost in our inbox. If we eventually find it and like it, you'll see it here. It's old news, but it's good news. Sorry we were tardy! The Band: Red Cortez The Album: Hands to the Wall EP Date Received: October 2009 [...]
North by Northeast (NXNE) has just announced the first of the 2010 music lineup in Toronto. The festival starts on June 14 and its been extended past four days into a seven day event. Tickets are available here . Iggy Pop and the Stooges are to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and are also going to be playing a free show at Yonge and Dundas Square on Saturday June 19, 2010! Yes, please keep rockin' in the free world... Other musicians taking playing the festival so far include X, the Raveonettes, [...]
This is the seventh official installment of the Impressionable Youth Tardy Series. Sometimes (a lot of the times) great music ends up getting lost in our inbox. If we eventually find it and like it, you'll see it here. It's old news, but it's good news. Sorry we were tardy! The Band: The Radio Dept The Album: Clinging to a Scheme LP Date Received: February 2010. You should give it a listen if you haven't already. [...]
Tomorrow, Saturday April 17th, 2010, is International Record Store Day ! If you haven't heard of it before (gasp!), Record Store Day is essentially the indie music geek's Christmas. It's a magical day that comes only once a year to spread song and joy throughout the land. Everyone gathers at their local independent record store to celebrate. Wondrous sales, limited edition merchandise, giveaways and in-store performances are aplenty. On Record Store Day high fives are given higher and man hugs become manlier. Find out more about Record Store Day at its official website. [...]
Impressionable Youth
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[LISTEN] Gotye (Passion Pit Remix)
Big Boi & Theophilus London (feat. TRE LUCE) - 'She Said OK'
